Arizona Cardinals sophomore EDGE B.J. Ojulari flashed high-level potential as a rookie. There’s another level for Ojulari to unlock now in 2024. A breakout campaign appears to be on the horizon.
The No. 42 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was eased into the lineup by defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon. Ojulari totaled just 35 snaps through Arizona’s first four games, never accounting for even 20% of all defensive plays in a single contest.
It wasn't until Week 8 that Ojulari really began earning Gannon's trust. The former LSU standout totaled a then season-high 25 snaps, recording his first career sack in a 31-24 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. It began a streak for Ojulari that established him as a consistent mainstay in the defensive rotation.
Two weeks later, Ojulari sacked Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke twice during the third quarter of a 25-23 victory. Ojulari's first sack went for a 10-yard loss and, roughly six minutes later, his second sack forced a Falcons punt. That contest marked the first time he played more than 50% of Arizona's defensive plays.
Ojulari followed up that two-sack performance with another quarterback takedown in a five-point loss to the Houston Texans in Week 11. That was Ojulari's fourth sack in three weeks. Unfortunately, it would be his final sack of the 2023 campaign, finishing tied for second on the team, trailing just Dennis Gardeck (6.0 sacks).
Ojulari's snap-share really began taking off toward the conclusion of the campaign, insinuating he displayed the weekly growth necessary. In Weeks 17 and 18, he played 65% and 73% of Arizona's defensive plays.
All in all, Ojulari totaled 20 pressures, 13 stops, and 11 quarterback hurries. He earned a pass-rushing grade of 64.1 from Pro Football Focus. Ojulari played 409 snaps, accounting for 36.91% of Gannon’s defensive plays.
Ojulari should experience a significant increase in playing time throughout 2024. Year-two growth will be evident as he becomes an every-down starter in Gannon’s base defense. He could nearly double his 2023 workload.
Ojulari will start opposite Zaven Collins, who’s entering a contract year after having his fifth-year option declined. The Cardinals desperately require a breakout season from Ojulari after they recorded a 30th-ranked 33 sacks as a team throughout 2023. That didn't appease Gannon, who coached a Philadelphia Eagles defense in 2022 that accumulated a historic 70 sacks.
The Cardinals did select two pass rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft. General manager Monti Ossenfort nabbed Missouri's Darius Robinson with a late first-round pick and later doubled down by drafting Clemson's Xavier Thomas with a fifth-round selection. Robinson may see extended play-time as the Cardinals continue searching for difference makers up front, but Ojulari's rookie season indicates that first-year players will be eased into the lineup.
Ojulari grew as a player as his rookie campaign progressed forward. He got consistently better and enjoyed a multi-week streak of midseason success. A sophomore season that flirts with double-digit sacks is within the realm of possibility.