PFF analyst says the time is now for Ravens' third-year player to finally breakout
Much has already changed about the Baltimore Ravens' defense. A new defensive coordinator, and free agency departures from all three levels of the unit will force newer names to step up and assert themselves.Two of those departures came at outside linebacker, which cracks the door wide open for David Ojabo to finally ascend. Injuries have been […]
Much has already changed about the Baltimore Ravens' defense.
A new defensive coordinator, and free agency departures from all three levels of the unit will force newer names to step up and assert themselves.
Two of those departures came at outside linebacker, which cracks the door wide open for David Ojabo to finally ascend.
Injuries have been the story of Ojabo's football career since he left college. He's only appeared in six games since being drafted 45th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft thanks to two separate injuries. His most recent hurdle was an ACL he suffered during the 2023 campaign.
Baltimore expects Ojabo to be back in time for training camp, which would set the 24-year old on a path to become a breakout star for the Ravens. Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema believes this to be the case.
"Ojabo was somebody who had a really high talent ceiling when he was coming out his class," Sikkema said on a recent episode of the PFF NFL Show. "I am really hoping that he's able to come back this year, play a majority if not all the season. I would love to see that from him. And if we do I think that you know, he's now he's acclimated NFL life, he gets it, he's gonna be able to pin his ears back a little bit. So Ojabo is somebody who I think people are forgetting about.
"There are snaps to be had at that edge spot for Baltimore. And I think Ojabo's gonna take one."
The path for the former Michigan Wolverine is clear as day. Jadeveon Clowney led Baltimore's edges in snaps with 747 last year (including postseason) and he's no longer in the picture, leaving Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh as the base starters.
Oweh will see a bump in snaps, and Ojabo will be counted to see a major jump as well, specifically as a pass rusher.
It's easy to forget the upside Ojabo had coming into the NFL. He ran a 4.55 40-yard dash and jumped 122" in the broad jump at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine before tearing his achilles, altering his draft stock and sending him down to the second round for the Ravens to pick him.
When he's got a clean bill of health, Ojabo is an explosive menace for tackles to be wary of. If he's good to go for the 2024 season, this should be the year Baltimore sees the pass rushing specialist for what he really is.
Ravens’ Mark Andrews confirms a suspicion about the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs
The man said it himself.
