PFF Projects the Colts to Select Georgia Edge Azeez Ojulari in Latest NFL Mock Draft

According to PFF, the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select Georgia edge Azeez Ojulari with the 21st overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft in their latest mock draft:

21. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: EDGE AZEEZ OJULARI, GEORGIA

Indianapolis’ edge unit ranked 25th in pass-rush grade a season ago and has their two most productive players at the position, Justin Houston and Denico Autry, hitting free agency. Regardless of their future with the team, Indy needs to bolster its lackluster pass-rushing on the edge.

Ojulari is a true speed rusher who can get away with his lack of standout strength and power with his athleticism. He broke out in a big way in 2020, raising his 71.4 pass-rushing grade to 91.7, second in the FBS. Ojulari also forced three strip-sack fumbles and generated a 24.3% pass-rush, ranking top five at his position in the FBS.

The 6’3”, 240 pound redshirt sophomore pass rusher recorded 31 tackles (22 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery during 10 starts this past season—earning All-SEC 2nd-Team honors and was a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

Here’s his scouting report via NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah—as he currently ranks as Jeremiah’s 41st best prospect overall:

Rank 41 Azeez Ojulari

Georgia · EDGE · Sophomore (RS)

“Ojulari is a slightly undersized edge rusher. He split time between playing with his hand on the ground and standing up on the edge for the Bulldogs. He takes short/quick steps and has a variety of pass-rush moves. He will push/pull, utilize a jump/slap/swim move or stick his head into the chest of offensive tackles and bull through them. He isn’t an elite bender at the top of his rush due to some ankle tightness. His effort is excellent. He can stack and set the edge consistently versus the run. He can turn and chase, showing the ability to quickly close. He saved his best for the Peach Bowl against Cincinnati. He was a destructive force in that contest. Overall, Ojulari has some tightness and lacks ideal size, but he made plays in every game I studied. He is best suited to stand up on the outside for an odd-front team.”

For what it’s worth, Ojulari is ESPN’s Todd McShay’s 29th best ranked prospect overall—coming in a little higher than on Jeremiah’s overall big board:

29. Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia*

HT: 6-3 | WT: 240

Grade: 89 | Previous rank: NR

Ojulari has good size, speed and bend. I really like his first-step burst when pass rushing, and his instincts are advanced. He is definitely better as a pass-rusher than in coverage, but he does have pretty good range underneath when asked to drop back. Ojulari’s 8.5 sacks tied for eighth most in the country in 2020, and his three forced fumbles were tied for fifth.

Here’s what else they’re saying on Ojulari:

Now, as PFF points out, the Colts have both an immediate and long-term need at defensive end, as last year’s starters Justin Houston (32) and Denico Autry (30) are both free agents—as is rotational backup Al-Quadin Muhammad.

2018 second round pick Kemoko Turay has shown some flashes on the field, but he has yet to demonstrate that he’s fully recovered from a season-ending ankle injury that he suffered in 2019 and required surgery—as he was pretty well non-existent upon his return this past season.

The same goes for 2019 2nd round pick, Ben Banogu, who was a healthy scratch down the stretch in 2020 and needs to take a big leap forward during his third pro season.

Regarding the Colts’ pass rush last season:

“The Colts ranked 12th (tied) in most sacks with 40.0 sacks this past season. Per ESPN analytics, Indianapolis had the 15th highest pass rush win rate at 42%.”

It was around a league average unit—for a group that lacked an elite edge pass rusher, yet found a way to still be respectable, but did stall late in the season in generating consistent pass pressure—which really hurt their defense overall.

It’s a pass rush that could definitely withstand to improve with a speedy impact pass rusher off the edge.

Ojulari is one of this year’s NFL Draft’s top edge prospects, who’s been battle-tested against elite competition in the SEC—and as only a redshirt sophomore with really productive results for the Georgia Bulldogs—and much more room for continued growth.