NFL Rumors: 4 Teams 'Intently Interested in' David Ojabo Despite Achilles Injury

Michigan edge-rusher David Ojabo seemed like a lock to be a first-round pick before tearing his Achilles at Michigan's pro day. Now, his market value is harder to pin down given he'll likely miss the entirety of the 2022 season. 

But Pro Football Talk's Peter King projected him to go No. 27 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his latest mock draft, noting that "four teams are intently interested in him. One is having some significant medical tests done on him in the next two days, to see how his recovery is progressing and to judge whether he can play maybe very late this season or, if not, how healthy he will be a year from now."

Ojabo, 21, had a breakout season for Michigan in 2021, registering 24 tackles (12 for loss), 12 sacks, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He paired with Aiden Hutchison, potentially the top overall pick in this year's draft, to give the Wolverines a fearsome pass rush. 

Obviously, teams in need of immediate help off the edge might not be willing to give up a day one or day two pick to select him. But even despite the injury, Ojabo has generally received a Round 1 grade. 

The B/R Scouting Department, for instance, has him ranked as the No. 28 overall player in this draft class, aligning him with where King has him coming off the board. 

And ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Ojabo at No. 25 on his big board, noting that Ojabo has "advanced pass-rush moves" and that his "physical traits pop on tape."

The NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, on the other hand, dropped Ojabo all the way down to No. 49, noting that he has "ideal size, explosiveness and fluidity for the position" and that he's "still learning how to play the game, but he has as much talent as any pass rusher in this draft."

Given the uncertainty over whether he'll play at all in 2022, however, he fell down Jeremiah's board. 

So Ojabo's draft stock will likely come down to the conflict between what appears to be a very high ceiling and his immediate availability for teams. One thing that could play in Ojabo's favor, however, is that the latest buzz has suggested teams don't feel there is a plethora of Round 1 talents. 

That could make it more likely teams are willing to roll the dice on Ojabo's upside early on if they don't like the players available to them later in the first round and can't trade back. But teams may also take the chance that they can nab him on day two.