Giants 2022 Position Breakdown: Will Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari lead pass rush out of doldrums?

Big Blue has a new look pass rush

5/30/2022, 5:00 PM
Azeez Ojulari/Kayvon Thibodeaux / USA TODAY Sports/Treated by SNY
Azeez Ojulari/Kayvon Thibodeaux / USA TODAY Sports/Treated by SNY

Giants minicamp is right around the corner, which means it's time to break down each position for Big Blue's new coaching staff to evaluate this preseason.

We'll continue with the outside linebackers...


Player Breakdown

Starters: Kayvon Thibodeaux (R), Azeez Ojulari
Depth: Quincy Roche, Jihad Ward, Oshane Ximines
Bubble/Practice Squad: Elerson Smith, Tomon Fox (R), Niko Lalos

Overview

Before we get to the man that everyone can't wait to see in Week 1, Ojulari himself a rookie season to remember. 

He totaled eight sacks, 49 combined tackles, one forced fumble and 13 quarterback hits in a full 17 games. The Giants couldn't have asked more from their second-round pick, and he heads into his sophomore season looking to build on that solid foundation. 

But, yes, it's Thibodeaux time. The Oregon product, the fifth overall pick to the Giants, has stated multiple times how he's ready to show the NFL what he's made of. New DC Wink Martindale said Thibodeaux was his "No. 1 guy" in the draft because of what he believes he can do in his scheme. The expectations are set high, but we don't need to tell you that. 

On the depth end, Roche returns after flashing some great reps off the edge. He had 2.5 sacks, 38 combined tackles and five tackles for loss. He was quick off the edge and showed a motor on almost every rep. He should get some time on the field. 

And then there's Ximines, whose time might be up to prove to the Giants they spent a third-round pick correctly. He had 4.5 sacks in his rookie year in 2019, but hasn't had one since. He didn't start a single game last year, playing in 10, and only had 13 tackles. It's now or nothing for him. 

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Key Concern: Martindale's scheme adjustment

You could say the concern every year is whether or not these edge rushers will get to the quarterback, but for the Giants specifically, this is a veteran defensive coordinator in Martindale that has a track record of getting to the quarterback. 

But how will these youngsters, Ojulari and Thibodeaux, work in this scheme? Will there be a big learning curve to get the ins and outs, or will this preseason work out that transition? 

It's not much of a concern really, but instead just a curious thought about how quickly we'll start to see the quarterback on his back like Martindale wants. Thibodeaux is the rookie, but both he, Ojulari and the rest of the group are learning the new schemes together. 

We'll see just how fast they apply that once September rolls around. It's good they're present now to get learning done immediately. 

X-Factor: Kayvon Thibodeaux

Self-explanatory with this one. 

Thibodeaux was drafted with the first of the Giants' two first-round selections at No. 5 because they knew he was the pass rusher they wanted if he fell down to them. Now, he just needs to deliver that way. 

if Thibodeaux can do what he did in college -- 19 sacks, 35.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles in 30 games -- the Giants will immediately be a better team. They've had such a drought at pass rusher for quite some time, since the Justin Tuck/Osi Umenyiora days, and the confidence is there that Thibodeaux, alongside Ojulari, can slowly work them back to that dominant front. 

If Thibodeaux has a slow start to his NFL career, then more of the same will come for the Giants. Leonard Williams and Ojulari can only do so much and that was seen in 2021. They were good, but not good enough to make offenses worried about facing them on Sunday. 

He may be a rookie but there may be no more important player on defense than No. 5. But he seems ready to step up to the plate and make some noise to prove he's ready to be a force in this league. 

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux reacts after being selected as the fifth overall pick to the New York Giants during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. / Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux reacts after being selected as the fifth overall pick to the New York Giants during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. / Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Biggest Camp Battle: Oshane Ximines vs. Everyone Else

Ximines has to have the mentality that this could be his last NFL season because, well, he really hasn't shown enough to make other teams, let alone the Giants, think he can impact their defense. 

He has the physical tools, and they're going to quickly get tested in training camp. His competition, mainly Roche because of his production in 2021, will be tough as well. 

And remember this, the new regime has no ties to Ximines. Their wide and full evaluation of every player will be non-biased based off draft position. 

Ximines should get a lot of preseason reps during those four games, too, so keep an eye on his production to see if it outranks the rest of the pack. 

2022 Outlook

It's hard to really predict anything from this group because of the new scheme and new players. But that scheme has been mastered by one of the best, and though they're young, Ojulari and Thibodeaux have the talent to get the job done. 

So optimistic caution (is that a thing?) should be given for this group of outside linebackers. I do expect Martindale to mix things up and keep offenses on their toes with how he deploys this unit -- Ojulari and Thibodeaux can even drop back into coverage in the flat if need be -- and that's only an advantage for the youngsters. 

Giants fans would love to see the sack totals and quarterback hits immediately, but honestly, we'll just have to wait and see what Martindale does and whether or not Thibodeaux will come off the edge firing on all cylinders in Week 1. 

Again, the talent and teaching is there. The application of it all on gameday will be needed for success this season. 

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