David Ojabo NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Michigan EDGE
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 250
HAND: 9"
ARM: 33 1/2"
WINGSPAN: 6'8 3/4"
40-YARD DASH: 4.55
3-CONE: DNP
SHUTTLE: 4.45
VERTICAL: 35"
BROAD: 10'2"
POSITIVES
— Great speed around the edge and in space. Accelerates well through his second and third steps.
— Sudden, explosive athlete. Can stutter his feet and explode inside or outside to beat offensive tackles.
— Great bend and flexibility. Can get low, turn the corner and explode back up in the pocket.
— Decent length.
— Above-average leg drive and balance. Can fight through contact and remain on his path to the quarterback.
— Improved hand use as the season went along. Good sign for future development.
NEGATIVES
— Doesn't pack a major punch in his hands.
— Bull-rushing is not in his arsenal. Will rarely win as a power-rusher in the NFL.
— While improved, his run defense could stand to get better. Anchor wavers at times. Not always as quick to engage as he needs to be.
— General awareness still needs work. Not always quick to fire on his reads, especially vs the run.
2021 STATISTICS
13 G, 35 TOT, 12 TFL, 11 SK, 5 FF, 1 FR
NOTES
— Born in Nigeria and moved to Scotland in 2007. Moved to the United States to go to high school.
— Only a one-year starter at Michigan.
— Suffered a torn Achilles at Michigan's pro day.
OVERALL
Being a one-year starter, David Ojabo is only scratching the surface of what he could be. Ojabo sports a long, lean frame that probably has room for a few more pounds. In turn, he is exclusively a speed-rusher right now.
Ojabo's ability to fly off the ball, stutter his feet right before contact and explode in either direction makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles in space, especially considering his ability to bend and move through contact is among the best in this class. He also has the bend to win right around offensive tackles and bend straight back up to the quarterback. His speed and long arms make it tough for offensive tackles to get a clean punch and grip on him consistently.
In run defense, Ojabo is sort of limited to just setting the edge or chasing down from the backside right now. The anchor and vision to play against pullers and kickout blocks is not there yet, though he does have the length to get there eventually. Ojabo's first year or two of run defense could be volatile for that reason.
Ojabo is a high-ceiling speed-rusher who is more comfortable from a stand-up position right now. He may need a year as a designated pass-rusher while he tries to add some strength and hone his run defense skills, but he has the raw speed and bend to generate pressure on the outside sooner rather than later.
GRADE: 7.8 (Potential Impact Player - 2nd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 40
POSITION RANK: EDGE6
PRO COMPARISON: Brian Burns