Baltimore takes a chance on injured Michigan defender
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In one season, David Ojabo went from a relative unknown to a likely firstround draft pick. Then the Michigan edge rusher tore an Achilles tendon at pro day.
The Baltimore Ravens believe he’s still a potential standout.
The Ravens selected Ojabo in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, putting their faith in his ability to recover from that significant injury. Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta said doctors have given a pretty promising timetable on when Ojabo could help the Ravens.
“They’re optimistic that at some point this year, he’ll have a chance to play,” DeCosta said. “There might be a delay, but we think he’s going to come back with a vengeance and play outstanding football.”
Baltimore also took Travis Jones, an interior defensive lineman out of Connecticut, in the third round.
On Saturday, the Ravens made these selections: Minnesota offensive tackle Daniel Faalele, Alabama cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar, Penn State punter Jordan Stout, Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely and Houston cornerback Damarion Williams in the fourth round and Missouri running back Tyler Badie in the sixth round.
Ojabo teamed up with No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson to lead Michigan to the Big Ten title last season. Ojabo had 11 sacks and five forced fumbles. That breakout season likely would have made him a first-round pick had he not torn his left Achilles tendon.
“It was just a bump in the road,”
Ojabo said. “It was my first-ever injury and just another obstacle I’m going to conquer.”
There are, of course, plenty of connections between Michigan and the Ravens. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, is the coach at Michigan. Mike MacDonald, the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2021, was hired this offseason to fill that same role in Baltimore — he went from the Ravens’ staff to Michigan before last season.
“That’s just how I know that it’s all part of the plan,” Ojabo said. “What are the odds that the person who comes in and gives me a chance to play (at Michigan) ultimately is the guy I’m following to the next level as well? I just know that it’s all written, man. It’s meant to be.”
Jones was recruited as an offensive lineman, but became a standout on the defensive side of the ball.
“When I went to UConn, they said they were going to switch me over because somebody left for the draft,” Jones said. “They just put me there to fill that void, and it worked out pretty good.”
Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 27 overall prospect in the draft, so by that measure, the Ravens got good value in the third round.
“Travis Jones is a player that really, I noticed for the first time at the Senior Bowl,” DeCosta said. “He was unblockable that week.”
The Ravens had two first-round picks Thursday because they traded receiver Marquise Brown to Arizona. Baltimore took safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 and center Tyler Linderbaum at No. 25.
Ojabo was the 45th pick and Jones was the 76th.