Two of the main edge rush dominoes have now fallen as the trade deadline approaches. Baron Browning was dealt from the Broncos to the Cardinals yesterday, with the long-anticipated Za’Darius Smith trade being worked out between the Browns and Lions this morning. 
The Browning swap saw Denver receive only a sixth-round pick based on his status as a pending free agent. That price could be key as it pertains to the Giants and Azeez Ojulari. He, too, is approaching the conclusion of his rookie contract and the lack of extension talks with New York makes him a prime candidate to be dealt today. To little surprise, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports calls continue to come in on Ojulari.
Fowler adds, notably, that the Giants appear to value the 24-year-old higher than the return Browning generated. Recent reports indicated New York set a high asking price for both Ojulari and fellow rental Darius Slayton, who also wants to remain a Giant despite the fact he does not have a new contract in sight. Over the weekend, a prediction emerged that a fifth-round pick would likely constitute the best-case scenario for New York in the event Ojulari were to be traded. In the wake of Browning being dealt for a single Day 3 selection, it will be interesting to see if the Giants are willing to authorize a deal for a similar fee.
The Cardinals were among the teams showing interest in Ojulari, but with Browning in the fold they can be removed from the list of potential suitors. The Lions have also addressed a major need by acquiring Smith, but teams like the Falcons may still be in the running. The same could very well also be true of the Bengals, a team which just agreed to a deal for running back Khalil Herbert but is known to also be on the lookout for defensive help.
The Giants added Brian Burns via trade this offseason, inking him to the league’s third-most lucrative deal in terms of AAV ($28.2MM). 2022 fifth overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux will be eligible for a big-ticket deal of his own as early as this spring, so committing to a second Ojulari contract could be challenging from a roster-building perspective. The Georgia product posted eight sacks as a rookie but missed notable time with injuries each of the following two seasons. In 2024, he has been available for all nine of the team’s contests, posting six sacks and 10 pressures. Given that production, offers should be expected to continue coming in as the day progresses.
Atlanta might as well add to the pass rush. Still a need and they have a very clear path to the playoffs.
Of course Schoen set a high price for both Ojulari and Slayton. After all he’s a master at reading the market value of players to other teams. Just look back at his 4yr/$160 million to Daniel Jones because as he said, he would be a hot commodity on the open market. Saying on Hard Knocks, that Barkleys market value was around $10 million per year, and no one would pay more than that (he got more), Xavier McKinney would come back to them with a team friendly deal, he didn’t. Bidding against himself with Brian Burns extension. Shall, I go on?
So with this team going nowhere for the foreseeable future how about getting some draft picks and using them for what you truly need, a QB and more talent depth. But alas, it won’t happen.