David Ojabo looked like a steal in the 2022 NFL Draft, but the Baltimore Ravens could cut him before he reaches the end of his rookie contract. Widely projected to be a first-round pick, the Michigan product tore his Achilles during his Pro Day, causing him to fall into the second round. The Ravens decided to make a high-risk, high-reward investment and bet on the upside of a great athlete and collegiate performer.
Unfortunately, that bet has not paid off, as the former Wolverine has not recaptured his pre-draft form at the professional level. Ojabo has recorded just three sacks since entering the league and is still not a consistent part of the pass rush despite being more than two years removed from the Achilles injury. A regular healthy scratch, Paul Banks of Ravens Wire believes the team could cut David Ojabo in the offseason.
This sadly makes sense, as Ojabo is not a fit in Baltimore’s defense and has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract. However, this probably won’t be the end of the road for the once-promising prospect. Someone will take a shot on him, and the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs are the most likely destinations.
David Ojabo Could Land With Saints, Chiefs After Ravens Cut
Despite missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, the New Orleans Saints will not embrace a rebuild. The master of kicking the can down the road, General Manager Mickey Loomis will once again restructure a series of contracts to get under the 2025 salary cap. This means quarterback Derek Carr will likely return for another season and that the team won’t have the money to spend big in free agency.
The Saints want to win football games right now, but they don’t have the financial resources to bolster the roster. With this in mind, they should pursue a low-risk, medium-reward pass rusher like David Ojabo, assuming the Ravens cut him. Cameron Jordan is over the hill and Chase Young will be a free agent, so someone must start opposite Carl Granderson. Ojabo probably won’t turn into a starting-caliber player, but he might carve out a situational role under the Saints next head coach.
Rebuilding the Kansas City Defense
Don’t look now, but the Kansas City Chiefs defense has played like one of the worst units in football over the past few weeks. Since Week 8, the team ranks 29th in EPA/play allowed despite their impressive 12-1 record. The Jaylen Watson injury decimated their secondary, and the Chiefs don’t have the pass rushers to compensate for the lack of reliable coverage options.
Kansas City tried to address this weakness with the Josh Uche trade, but that move hasn’t paid off. Through five games, the former Patriot has recorded just two tackles and has yet to get after the quarterback. David Ojabo won’t help the Chiefs in 2024, but the cut candidate could fight for a job in 2025. Uche probably isn’t in the long-term plans, former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah looks like a bust, and veteran George Karlaftis can’t do it all by himself. Steve Spagnuolo is one of the best defensive coordinators in football, and he might be able to unlock some hidden talent in Ojabo.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
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