NFL Draft: Why David Ojabo is still in first-round consideration despite injury
Michigan EDGE rusher David Ojabo was considered a surefire first-round pick through much of the NFL Draft cycle. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles at his pro day altered his draft stock and potential availability for the season.
Despite that, it looks like he still may have a shot to come off the board in round one.
NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero included Ojabo in a list of potential surprise first-round picks on Tuesday. The fifth-year contract option that teams get with first-rounders will be a consideration for him.
Here is what Pelissero had to say about why Ojabo has a shot to come off the board Thursday night:
“It’s still too soon for doctors to say with certainty how David Ojabo is recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered at the Wolverines’ pro day on March 18. He’ll be drafted lower than he would’ve been if healthy. But if everything stays on track, Ojabo could make his NFL debut sometime in 2022 — perhaps as soon as October. So why couldn’t he still go Round 1? Ojabo was a surefire first-rounder before the injury, coming off a breakout season in which he posted 11 sacks and set a single-season school record with five forced fumbles on the way to second-team All-America honors.
“Plus, there’s a lot of upside with Ojabo, who was born in Nigeria, moved to Scotland in 2007 and didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. It’s worth noting that eight teams have multiple first-round picks, potentially softening the blow of taking a player who won’t be ready Week 1.“
Our draft profile on David Ojabo
During the leadup to the 2022 NFL Draft, we profiled each Michigan prospect. Below is the overview of Ojabo’s skill set with the full profile and scouting report available here.
Some out there believe there is a chance he could be more disruptive than Hutchinson in the NFL. He still could be and has a knack for creating turnovers. This was always going to be a redshirt year for him in the pros with the original plan likely just unleashing him as a pass-rush specialist. Barring a miraculous recovery, that probably does not happen now. His learning will have to come off the field against the backdrop of a rehab process.
Ojabo on talent alone is one of the best EDGE rushers in the class, but his injury has knocked him down boards. But not off completely. He was a fringe-top ten pick prior to his injury and now projects to fall somewhere into the second round. There is a chance someone at the back-half of the first grabs him in order to secure a fifth-year option. This would give him more time to develop with his new franchise. When he gets healthy, he has the floor of a designated pass rusher with a ceiling of a dominant and disruptive Pro Bowl EDGE.
When is the 2022 NFL Draft?
The 2022 NFL Draft will be held from April 28-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first round is set for Thursday night with second and third rounds taking place Friday. The event concludes on Saturday with rounds four through seven. The event will be broadcast via ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.
