CBS Sport: Detroit Lions close in to sign Giants mega star in a blockbuster deal.

With the changes they have made to the defensive line and at edge rusher, the Detroit Lions are hoping that this season will result in more sack production. However, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report isn’t satisfied with the Lions’ additions and stated on September 4 that they ought to try to get edge rusher Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants through trade.

Knox listed the Lions as one of Ojulari’s two possible suitors.

If Ojulari becomes available, Knox stated, “the Detroit Lions, who have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, should also have interest.” “Detroit hasn’t had a strong edge against Aidan Hutchinson, and aside from adding Marcus Davenport this offseason, it didn’t do much to address the need.”

Ojulari’s rookie contract with the Giants is about to expire. Over the previous two seasons, he has struggled with injuries that have impeded his performance.

However, in just 17 games as a rookie, Ojulari recorded 8 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits. In the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, the Giants selected him with the 50th overall pick.

Last season, the Lions were unable to exert much pressure on quarterbacks. Detroit just finished tied for 23rd in sacks with 41, despite the fact that Aidan Hutchinson led the club with 11.5 sacks and was among the NFL leaders in pressures.

The only other Lions defender with more than three sacks in the previous campaign was defensive tackle Alim McNeill.

Ojulari, if healthy, may provide the Lions an additional edge rusher to deflect some of the attention from McNeill and Hutchinson.

Ojulari recorded 13.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits in his first 23 games of play. Along with his four forced fumbles, he was becoming quite the force with the Giants.

But Ojulari had a difficult start to the previous campaign and was placed on injured reserve on October 15. Upon his return, he didn’t become any more productive either.

Ojulari finished the previous season with 11 games played, 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 7 quarterback hits. Two of the sacks came in the season-ending game vs the Philadelphia Eagles.

Perhaps 2024 will be a make-or-break year for the 24-year old.

Early in the season, Ojulari is not expected to be pursued by the Lions. This is due to the likelihood that they will initially wish to assess how well their new defensive acquisitions mesh together.

The Lions strengthened their defensive line with experienced additions Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader via free agency. That ought to garner a lot more support for Hutchinson and McNeill come autumn. In 2021, Davenport played for the New Orleans Saints and recorded nine sacks in a season.