Baltimore Ravens expect Michigan's David Ojabo to play in rookie season
With the 45th pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Michigan Wolverines football EDGE David Ojabo. He was a surefire top-15 pick if it weren’t for a torn Achilles at Michigan’s pro day March 19, but him falling only meant he was able to make a smooth transition with familiar faces.
Ojabo will reunite with former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who’s entering his first year as the Ravens’ D-coordinator, and Ryan Osborn, a quality control coach who served as a U-M analyst working with edge rushers. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s brother, John, is the team’s head coach. He’ll also play alongside second-year defensive end Odafe Oweh, a former high school teammate who starred at Penn State.
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While many expect Ojabo to take a ‘redshirt season’ while recovering, the Ravens did their due diligence and strongly believe he’ll be able to play at some point in 2022, as long as everything goes according to plan.
“We rely on our doctors and trainers,” general manager Eric DeCosta said. “They haven’t seen him since the re-checks and all those things in Indy, but they’re optimistic that at some point this year he’ll have a chance to play.”
Ravens outside linebacker Tyus Bowser, who led the team in sacks last season, is set to return for 2022 after suffering a torn Achilles in the last game of the season. According to BaltimoreRavens.com staff writer Ryan Mink, Bowser is back at the team’s facility and “walking without a limp,” lending credence to the theory that the former Michigan standout will be able to suit up this fall.
“Baltimore has also seen other players return from serious Achilles injuries and be just fine after their return, including Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr., Benjamin Watson, Jimmy Smith and more,” Mink wrote. “DeCosta referenced that Suggs tore his Achilles in May and came back in late October for the 2012 Super Bowl run.”
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The Ravens are expecting a quicker-than-expected return, but they won’t rush Ojabo back. Regardless of his status for this coming season, the franchise is excited about what Ojabo will bring once he’s healthy.
“We’ve had multiple guys that have done it and come back with very, very predictable results,” DeCosta said. “For us, there might be a delay, but we think he’ll come back with a vengeance and play outstanding football.”
“I mean, I’m definitely hopeful towards [a return], but I can’t predict the future, so I’m just … day by day, do as I’m told and hope for the best,” Ojabo added.
During his breakout season at Michigan in 2021, Ojabo racked up 35 tackles, 12 stops for loss, 11 sacks, eight hurries, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and a Wolverines record five forced fumbles. He and Aidan Hutchinson(No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions) were the first duo in Michigan history to combine for 25 sacks.
