There is a shortlist of names for the edge rush trading market. One of the top targets for competing teams remains Azeez Ojulariwho is currently on track to finish out his rookie contract with the Giants for the remainder of the season.

As an impending free agent, Ojulari could easily walk away from New York. The team has already done it Brian Burns coupled with a $28.2 million annual contract and the fifth overall pick for 2022 Kayvon Thibodeaux will be eligible for an extension this offseason. Keeping this pair on the roster for the foreseeable future while also committing to a significant raise for Ojulari would be a challenge given the Giants’ more immediate roster needs.

Unsurprisingly, potential buyers made calls about the Georgia product’s availability before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. Several teams continue to express interest, writes NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Depending on veteran status Za’Darius Smith And Jadeveon ClowneyOjulari could emerge as the top edge rusher on the market in the coming days. His value would of course be increased by a variety of teams making offers.

The Bengals are looking for help on the defensive front and have been linked to pursuing the 24-year-old. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Hawks And Cardinals can also be added to this list (subscription required). Atlanta in particular has been “aggressive” in pursuing an edge rush move in general and a possible Ojulari move in particular, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Falcons have previously been named as a team to watch for a sideline addition Matt Judon The acquisition doesn’t bring high-end production and that’s where injuries occur elsewhere. Lorenzo Carter is currently on injured reserve, and Atlanta could certainly use at least one strong contributor in his absence (though Ojulari is expected to take over first-team duties with any number of suitors upon his arrival).

The Cardinals have been hit hard by injuries along the D-line this year, so adding something at the edge would be a sensible move (and one that Schefter confirms is in play). Chief Executive Officer Monti Ossenfort spoke about his trade deadline plans yesterday and confirmed that he has been looking for deals that could help increase production in the pass rush department. With six sacks this year and 22 in his career, Ojulari would be a welcome addition to Arizona as the team looks to stay atop the NFC West.

Given his status as a rental, the Giants may not be on track to receive significant draft capital in a deal for the former second-rounder. It is believed that the team is demanding a high price for Ojulari – along with the experienced receiver Darius Slayton —Russini’s colleague Dan Duggan notes that a fifth-round pick is the best-case scenario for New York at this point. A lone Day 3 pick could tempt the front office to risk a free agent departure and a resulting 2026 compensatory pick, but one team is confident in extending Ojulari (like the Bears did last year). Montez sweatfor example) might be willing to pay a higher price.

Much of the speculation and deals during the 2024 season centered around the receiver position, but the edge rush market’s numbers are worth watching closely ahead of the deadline. Ojulari, in particular, should be the subject of many more conversations between the Giants and teams looking to bolster their defense in the second half.