Pros and cons of the Arizona Cardinals taking LSU football's BJ Ojulari in 2023 NFL Draft
LSU football edge rusher BJ Ojulari was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 41 overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, Ojulari, a junior from Marietta, Georgia, arrived at LSU as a four-star recruit and a top-100 player in the nation, according to 247Sports, and lived up to the billing by recording 16.5 sacks in his collegiate career.
His older brother Azeez is an edge rusher with the New York Giants. He was selected by the Giants in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
LSU football edge rusher BJ Ojulari: The positives
He isn't the most powerful pass rusher, but Ojulari is an above-average athlete with elite bend and agility to contort his body around offensive tackles.
That explosiveness led to him becoming one of the best pass rushers in the SEC. According to Pro Football Focus, he led the conference this past year with 14 quarterback hits and finished second in pressures with 49.
Off the field, Ojulari possesses a high character and was a leader on the Tigers' defense this past year. He was named a team captain before the start of the season and wore the No. 18 jersey, traditionally handed to the LSU player who best represents the Tigers on and off the field.
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The concerns:
Ojulari is an excellent pass rusher but is not a particularly versatile prospect.
He lacks the size and strength to be an above-average run defender. And although he has some experience playing in coverage – playing 84 snaps this season – it's far from being a strength of his.
During the draft process, Ojulari dealt with a right hamstring injury.
Final thoughts:
Ojulari's consistency, pass-rushing skills and high character make him the top NFL Draft prospect to come out of LSU this spring. Despite his lackluster production against the run, he still plays at a premium position and has the potential to become an above-average regular in the league and be worthy of a first-round selection.
Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Arizona Cardinals pick LSU football's BJ Ojulari in 2023 NFL Draft
