Finding help in the trade market will be imperative for the San Francisco 49ers getting back on track to make a Super Bowl run.
There may also be an additional motivation for the 49ers to get active before the trade deadline: keeping a potential season-changing player away from an NFC West rival.
According to the Athletic’s Diana Russini, the New York Giants are taking calls on breakout star edge rusher Azeez Ojulari. One of the teams keeping in touch with them is the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals.
Via the Athletic:
Teams that are keeping an eye on the 24-year-old include the Falcons, Cardinals and Bengals. The Giants are already paying Brian Burns and spent a top-five pick on Kayvon Thibodeaux, so with Ojulari set to hit free agency after the season, GM Joe Schoen is trying to get something in return for him now.
Ojulari this season has 19 pressures and 6.0 sacks through eight games after having his 2022 and 2023 seasons cut short due to injury.
He’s not a particularly effective run stopper, but the 49ers more desperately need pass rush help. Ojulari would quickly bolster a defensive end group that hasn’t gotten much production outside of Nick Bosa.
The Cardinals are even more desperate for help on the defensive side. They’re 29th in the NFL in pressure rate according to Pro Football Reference and their 15 sacks are tied for 24th in the NFL. Getting a player like Ojulari could help boost their chances of staying atop the division.
Perhaps the 49ers aren’t interested in making a trade or getting in a bidding war for a defensive end. If it means keeping the Cardinals from bolstering their defense while simultaneously helping their own chances to make the Super Bowl though, they should be absolutely get involved.
