The Giants' reported asking price for the Azeez Ojulari trade leaves the Packers with no excuses

On a day that has already seen the Detroit Lions trade for Za'Darius Smith and the Washington Commanders trade for Marshon Lattimore, it's the Green Bay Packers' turn to make a move.

The Packers don't typically make big moves at the trade deadline, and Lattimore never seemed realistic, but New York Giants edge rusher Azeez Ojulari is a player to keep an eye on. Former Pro Bowler TJ Lang revealed that the Packers will “put heavy pressure on Ojulari” ahead of the trade deadline.

Why is this significant? Lang was at Lambeau Field on Sunday as an announcer for the Lions Radio Network, so there's a good chance he heard some secrets.

Given their pass rush depth, the Giants could trade Ojulari, who is a free agent this offseason. And their asking price makes the decision easy for the Packers.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Giants are demanding a late fourth-round pick or an early fifth-rounder.

That's it?

It should be a no-brainer for the Packers as to whether they can get Ojulari for that price. They would also have to agree to a long-term contract extension to avoid losing him in free agency, but he's worth it. Of all the Packers' potential last-minute trade targets, Ojulari makes the most sense.

He's only 24 years old and could solve Green Bay's pass rush problems in the long term.

The Giants have star pass rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux ahead of them on the depth chart, which could make it difficult to pay him in free agency. New York's loss would be Green Bay's gain. With Thibodeaux out of the lineup the past four weeks, Ojulari has recorded five sacks, seven quarterback hits and six tackles for a loss.

According to PFF, Ojulari has 21 pressures this season, more than any other Packers defender. He also has six sacks, twice as many as Green Bay leader Devonte Wyatt, who has three. And Ojulari managed to do that despite only starting four games.

The Packers must address their pass-rush inconsistency to have a realistic chance of making a deep playoff run in a competitive NFC. Ojulari wouldn't be a short-term, high-risk move like trading the Commanders for Lattimore. He could start in this defense for several years.

If the Giants make him available for a Day 3 pick, Brian Gutekunst should pick up the phone and not hang up until Ojulari is on a flight to Green Bay.

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