NY Giants: Azeez Ojulari and the 5 players with most to gain (and lose) vs Houston Texans

EAST RUTHERFORD - Azeez Ojulari has run the gamut of emotions and expectations with the New York Giants .

Not long ago, he was touted as a second-round steal in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Then he was a pass rusher whose explosive talent was mentioned in the same conversations as Osi Umenyiora, someone he idolized.

And, of course, injury-plagued seasons the last two years have turned Ojulari into somewhat of an afterthought on the Giants' defense.

Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence are the headliners. Kayvon Thibodeaux is the promising star ready to break out in Year 3. Bobby Okereke is the glue.

Just 24 years old entering his fourth NFL season, Ojulari promises that he is ready to accept the new challenge about to come his way, and the mission is relatively simple in process, complicated in execution heading into Saturday's second preseason game in Houston against the Texans as this defense continues to take shape:

Find a way to force the Giants to put him on the field.

"That's really it," Ojulari told NorthJersey.com with a smile after practice Thursday. "We've got a lot of talent. I've got to do my job and make the coaches say, 'We have to have Azeez out there, too.'"

An intriguing path to that end for Ojulari may have been revealed Thursday when Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen snuck his name in while answering a question about finding a defensive lineman to pair with Lawrence along with Burns and Thibodeaux in pass rush situations.

No one's real sure just yet what that will look like, or who would line up where - except for Lawrence, of course - but the possibility would be an interesting wrinkle on a defense that wants to rely on its front to create pressure.

"I think he's had a really good camp. I do. I think he's been consistent," Bowen said of Ojulari. "I think he's flashed throughout camp each day. There's usually a play or two where I'm like, ‘Okay, that's a great play.’ That's something I've been pleased with him about: just the progression and being able to be the same guy every day. Again, when you get to those passing situations, it's finding the best four, whoever that is and however we got to coordinate it, to be able to get to the quarterback."

Ojulari has been relatively quiet working with the second-team units. Boogie Basham has made more splash plays on the edge, and did so again in the preseason opener against the Lions while Ojulari looked tentative at times.

"I don't think anyone has forgotten what I can do," Ojulari said, promising he remains confident in both his ability and opportunity. "I have to get on the field and be able to stay there. When I'm healthy, I think they know what I can do. I know what I can do. If I have to remind anyone, it's on me to do that."

He paused before adding with a smile: "And that's what I'm going to do."

Here's a look at the other players with the most to gain (and lose) against the Texans:

John Michael Schmitz, C

The Giants' second-year pro is being set up to make a leap this year. He's needed to be a linchpin on a reworked line, and Schmitz returned to the lineup this week after missing eight practices with a tweaked shoulder. His presence up front in the preseason game - with Daniel Jones expected to make his debut as well - might calm some of the nerves that the Giants' offensive line is entering yet another here-we-go-again carousel.

Nick McCloud, CB

This is McCloud's chance to prove he can be the boundary cornerback the Giants desperately need to play opposite Tae Banks. Cor'Dale Flott has now been out for more than a week with a quad injury, and the more time he misses, the more a glaring need in the secondary shows itself. Why not McCloud? He's so valuable on special teams and in sub-packages, but with a salary of $3 million for this season, not to mention the respect he has garnered by putting his head down and attacking the opportunity, it makes too much sense to give him a shot.

Tyler Nubin, S

It was only a matter of time. As well as Dane Belton was playing next to Jason Pinnock with the first team, Nubin offers something special on the back end, and you can see it. He has started to make plays and finished the week of practices with the starters next to Pinnock. A good game against the Texans, and Nubin won't be chasing the job much longer.

Isaiah McKenzie, WR/ST

For the second consecutive week, McKenzie is on this list. He's in a suddenly tight competition with Gunner Olszewski to be the Giants' primary return man on punts and kickoffs. And with Olszewski leaving practice Thursday with a member of the training staff, McKenzie might just get an opportunity to move ahead in the position battle if Olszewski is unable to play. There might only be room for one of these guys on the 53.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants: Azeez Ojulari and the 5 players with most to gain (and lose) vs Houston Texans