The San Francisco 49ers desperately need defensive linemen after releasing Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, and Maliek Collins—all of whom quickly signed lucrative deals with other teams. Next month, the Niners will likely use multiple draft picks to address the trenches, but their defensive front overhaul may not be limited to adding budget-friendly rookies.
Cory Woodroof of For The Win predicts that the 49ers will sign former New York Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari, an intriguing 24-year-old free agent entering his fifth NFL season.
"The 49ers need more help on the defensive line, and Ojulari is the exact kind of player who goes to San Francisco, thrives for a bit and then gets paid elsewhere down the road," Woodroof wrote.
Ojulari (6-3, 240) entered the NFL as a second-round pick by the Giants in 2021 after playing college football at Georgia. In his rookie season, he recorded eight sacks, 49 tackles, and eight tackles for a loss—all still career highs.
Injuries limited him over the next two seasons. In 2024, Ojulari posted 28 tackles (seven for a loss), 10 quarterback hits, and six sacks in 11 game appearances (five starts), playing 58% of the defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
Analytics site Spotrac projects Ojulari's value worthy of a two-year, $15.1 million deal—potentially a reasonable price for a team seeking high-upside contributors to strengthen Robert Saleh's defensive front.
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