Experts hand out grades for Baltimore Ravens' second-round pick of Michigan EDGE David Ojabo

The Baltimore Ravens took Michigan Wolverines football EDGE David Ojabo with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Ojabo is the fifth Wolverine to be taken by head coach John Harbaugh, brother of U-M head man Jim Harbaugh, and the Ravens during the latter’s tenure in Ann Arbor. He’s reunited with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who coached him in 2021 at Michigan, defensive quality control coach Ryan Osborn, who was an analyst working with the edge rushers at U-M last year, and former Wolverines fullback Ben Mason.

The former Michigan standout who racked up 11 sacks last season was seen as a surefire first-round pick before tearing his Achilles at the Wolverines’ pro day in March. He’ll have to rehab, but is expected to play at some point this fall.

Here’s a look at how experts are grading the Ravens’ pick of Ojabo:

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Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A+

“The Ravens love Odafe Oweh, their late first-rounder from 2021,” Iyer wrote. “Ojabo is his best friend and also was inspired by his explosive, relentless play in getting after the quarterback, a reason why he rose up boards fast through the Combine before suffering an Achilles’ injury at his pro day. Baltimore can stash Ojabo for the future as an impactful situational pass rusher at first.”

Walter Football: A+

“I don’t understand why David Ojabo fell so far,” the site wrote of the Michigan product. “He tore his Achilles, but he’ll be 100 percent by 2023. He should have gone late in the first round, and he would’ve been a top-10 pick had he been completely healthy. This is a terrific value, and it’s my favorite pick thus far in the 2022 NFL Draft.”

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: A

“Ojabo was a slam-dunk first-round prospect before he got injured during Michigan’s pro day,” Sobleski began. “In the short term, the unfortunate situation cost him. In the long run, the still-developing edge-rusher couldn’t have asked for a better landing spot where he can play with his friend Odafe Oweh. The two can eventually become a dynamic duo rushing off the edge once Ojabo is ready to return.”

Sheil Kapadia, The Athletic: A-

“Ojabo (6-foot-4, 250) was on track to be a first-round pick, but he tore his Achilles during Michigan’s pro day,” Kapadia wrote. “He came on strong last year with 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in 14 games. He had the highest sack rate (3.8%) of any edge rusher in this year’s class.

“But Ojabo had played just 26 defensive snaps prior to last season, and now he faces a tough recovery from a serious injury. The Ravens are the right team to take this gamble. They have an information edge, given that Ojabo’s defensive coordinator from Michigan, Mike Macdonald, is now in Baltimore. And because the Ravens draft for volume, they can afford to take these types of swings on upside.”

Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports: B+

“The Ravens do it again,” Edholm wrote. “Every year they seemingly find value and stick their big-picture vision. Pass rush was a need, and though Ojabo could miss significant time following an Achilles injury, this is terrific value here. Consider Year 1 a redshirt season of sorts for Ojabo, but in a few years his edge speed could be a problem.”

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: B+

“Incredibly high upside because of his burst/bend and pass-rush move flashes,” Trapasso wrote of the former Michigan standout. “Suffered torn Achilles at his pro day, so his rookie season is in doubt. Such a shrewd Ravens pick. With more power — which he needs — Ojabo can be a perennial Pro Bowl rusher.”

Pro Football Focus: ‘Very Good’

“Ojabo reunites with close friend and high school teammate Odafe Oweh and Michigan defensive coordinator Mike McDonald,” the analytics site wrote. “The pass-rusher was once seen as a possible top-20 pick, but after a ruptured Achilles at his pro day, he slid to the middle of Round 2, where he became a great value. Ojabo is an extraordinary athlete who flashed top-tier talent this past season, producing multiple elite pass-rush game grades above 90.0. At the same time, his production was somewhat inconsistent, and his run defense is a big issue. He played just 560 snaps in college and has been playing football for less than five years. Nonetheless, while he’s far from refined, he has a high ceiling with his tools.”

Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated: B-

“Ojabo is reunited with Mike Macdonald, his college defensive coordinator, and will be coached by another Harbaugh,” Hanson wrote. “Relatively new to football (he started playing as a junior in high school), Ojabo finished last season with 11 sacks—second in the Big Ten behind teammate Aidan Hutchinson. Ojabo’s pass-rush moves are more developed than one would expect given his limited experience. While a torn Achilles will delay his NFL debut, he offers the Ravens a discount on his long-term upside as the explosive and bendy edge rusher would have been a (high) first-round pick if not for the injury.”