Edge rusher David Ojabo was on track to becoming a first-round pick before he tore his Achilles at Michigan’s Pro Day workout this year and the injury forced him to wait until Friday night to hear his name called.
The Ravens made Ojabo the 45th overall pick in a move that reunites him with former Michigan and current Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. After the pick was in, Ravens G.M. Eric DeCosta addressed the view the team’s medical staff has of how long it will be before Ojabo is able to be part of Macdonald’s defense.
“We rely on our doctors and trainers,” DeCosta said, via the team’s website. “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. . . . We’ve had multiple guys that have done it and come back with very, very predictable results. For us, there might be a delay, but we think he’ll come back with a vengeance and play outstanding football.”
If that’s the case, the Ravens will look very wise for taking a big picture approach to what Ojabo can bring to the team.