Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari named Giants’ best duo
In quite a significant turn of events, the New York Giants’ pass rush may be the best part of the team in 2022. This unit starts with the talented duo of Leonard Williams and Azeez Ojulari.
This combination of two very different types of pass rushers was named the best duo on Big Blue’s roster by CBS Sports.
Williams had 43 pressures and 6.5 sacks in 2021 after a career-year with the Giants in 2020, but is still a consistent force off the edge.
Ojulari had 38 pressures and eight sacks in his rookie season for the Giants while adding 13 quarterback hits and a forced fumble. The Giants are relying on Ojulari to take the next step in 2022 as the team’s top pass rusher.
Wink Martindale’s scheme is expected to make Ojulari and Williams even better, as the two will be relied upon to consistently get to the quarterback. Those two will be vital toward New York turning its defense around.
Williams and Ojulari combined for 81 pressures, 27 QB hits, and 14.5 sacks in 2021 and this will likely only improve in 2022. With new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and fifth overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants will likely be playing much more aggressively and getting after the quarterback more.
Ojulari was a projected first round pick who fell to the second round (due to injury concerns) in the 2021 NFL draft and was one of the best rookie defenders in the NFL while playing in all 17 games. If Ojulari can continue to improve after his collegiate knee injuries combined with Williams’s continued success the Giants can have a formidable duo up front.
The defensive line has been a beacon of greatness in every great Giants playoff run and as the team continues to build this group up, they can hopefully return to the promised land.
List
Giants mandatory minicamp concludes: 7 takeaways
