30 Most Important Eagles of 2025: No. 29 Azeez Ojulari

The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for Super Bowl defense, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. Several players, coaches, and front-office members are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Eagles for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025, and tackle the most significant question facing them this year.

Next up is Azeez Ojulari, a former Georgia Bulldog and Giants draft pick who has the talent to post double-digit sacks in his first year with the Eagles.

Background

Position: OLB

Age: 25

Experience: 5-year vet

2025 cap hit: $1,672,000

2024 recap

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound player posted six sacks in 11 games in the 2024 season.

2025 outlook

At just 24 years old, the savvy edge rusher has a chance to make an impact for Philadelphia within Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme. The pass rusher has been up and down, but when he’s up, Ojulari can be impressive. Ojulari was the odd man out to start last season, playing just 37 percent of the defensive snaps and logging only one sack in the first five games. After Thibodeaux suffered a wrist injury, that opened the door for Ojulari. The 24-year-old made the most of his return to the starting lineup with five sacks in three games and finished the season with eight.

Biggest question: Can Ojulari replace Josh Sweat’s production?

Like Josh Uche, Ojulari could cash out with a big season rushing the passer in Philadelphia. In his first year in the league, he broke the Giants‘ record for sacks by a rookie with eight. In four years in the NFL, Ojulari has compiled 37 QB hits, 22 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss in 46 games. This time last year, Zack Baun quietly signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after exiting New Orleans with unfulfilled potential and a desire to be a starter. Fast forward, Baun switched positions and earned a starting role, Pro Bowl, and All-Pro honors while becoming a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Baun turned that into a three-year deal, and Ojulari could cash out similarly.