The Atlanta Falcons signed Azeez Ojulari as a pawn during free agency as a pawn in Ian Cunningham's much larger game of chess. Since they weren't blessed with the luxury of cap space, the Falcons' offseason gambles were reclamation projects for players who needed a scenery change.
Cunningham knew when the Falcons signed Ojulari that it would be a gamble. He's proven to be a productive player when on the field, but that's the issue: he's struggled to stay healthy. But for one year and the low price of $1.4 million, it was a risk Atlanta was willing to take--but it isn't aging well.
Nate Ollie's defensive line has lost Jalon Walker for the season and James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games, so they're desperate for contributors off the edge. And the last couple weeks have seen them be desperate for someone to step up, but unfortunately no one has, including Ojulari himself.
Azeez Ojulari has failed to stand out for the Atlanta Falcons' pass-rush
Bringing the Georgia native back to the Peach State to play for the Falcons was something fans were excited to see play out. Ojulari was expected to play the Arnold Ebiketie role as a rotational pass-rusher, but even being thrust into a larger role for this defense has not been enough to unlock him.
In the Dirty Birds' second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, the 25-year-old didn't rest with the starters. Only the backups played in the 34-6 victory, and consideirng he was facing a bunch of second, third, and fourth-stringers, it's particularly alarming that he again failed to make an impact.
Him playing throughout the game was alarming enough given it showed this coaching staff is also alarmed by Ojulari's quiet offseason, but given he failed he so much as record a tackle on Saturday is proof that it's not a quiet summer. At this point he's a quiet player and a failed reclamation project.
It's not like the Georgia product can blame his health for his lack of production this time. He's been healthy all summer and has given every chance to make an impact. He just hasn't. And while he's not on the roster bubble yet, maybe he should be since there isn't much dead cap involved in cutting hin.
Cameron Thomas, Za'Darius Smith, and Pearce (once he returns) will be ahead of Ojulari on the depth chart, and Bralen Trice and Cameron Sample have been more productive too. Even Keshawn Banks has looked like a better pass-rusher, and this is turning a risk-free move into a unmitigated disaster.
Ian Cunningham has made his fair share of good decisions in his first offseason as the Falcons' GM, but unfortunately, signing Azeez Ojulari was not one of them, which is why his time with the team could be in its final days.
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