The Baltimore Ravens took a risk when they drafted David Ojabo in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and that gamble has not paid off. Widely projected to be a top-15 pick out of college, Ojabo suffered a torn Achilles during his Pro Day, causing him to fall into the second round. The Ravens rolled the dice on him, knowing that he wouldn’t contribute as a rookie but might be a value down the line. So far, that hasn’t come to fruition, as Ojabo has recorded just four sacks and 16 tackles through his three years in the league.
Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes that it might be time for the Ravens to pull the plug on the David Ojabo experiment. In a recent article, the analyst made his case for why Baltimore should trade the fourth-year pro for whatever they can get. While nobody will give up too much for the veteran, multiple teams could be willing to surrender a late-round pick for a player with decent upside.
“With Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh leading the pass-rushing rotation and rookie second-rounder Mike Green also in the mix, Ojabo may face limited opportunities in his contract year,” Knox writes. “He’d probably benefit from a different situation, and the Ravens could save $1.8 million in cap space by moving him.
Ravens Could Trade David Ojabo; Multiple Teams Could Be Interested
Best Fits
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have hope for the future with star wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson supporting second-year quarterback Michael Penix. While these three could lead this team to a division title, they’ll need the defense to hold up its end of the bargain. First-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce have the talent to get after the quarterback, but this team could use an established veteran in case the youngsters need time to adjust to life in the NFL. David Ojabo may not be the perfect choice for the job, but the Ravens pass rusher might be the most cost-effective option available at this stage of the offseason.
Carolina Panthers
Much like the Falcons, Carolina finds itself with a young, promising offense complemented by a questionable defense led by inexperienced rookie edge rushers. Perhaps Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen can make something of themselves, but nobody should place too much faith in Day 2 picks making a Day 1 impact. David Ojabo is far from a safe bet, but he offers some upside and could be a key difference-maker if he recaptures his collegiate form with extended playing time.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has been aggressive throughout the offseason and clearly is not interested in a slow rebuild. While this team has a versatile weapon in WR/CB Travis Hunter, the team still needs someone else to get after the quarterback. Josh Hines-Allen and Travor Walker are an adequate duo, and Arik Armstead should help, but getting David Ojabo from the Ravens will only bolster this pass rush. While they face an uphill battle to take down the Houston Texans in the division, nobody should be surprised if this team challenges for a playoff spot.
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