David Ojabo
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David Ojabo
The Miami Dolphins have found their quarterback of the future in Malik Willis. Now, they can fully focus on bolstering a pass rush that has struggled at times. With the addition of a key defender, they may have just found a solid foundational piece.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins have signed former Ravens edge rusher David Ojabo in the hopes that he can resurrect his career in Miami. This comes after the Dolphins had made a move for Joshua Uche yesterday, clearly setting a path forward that focuses on defense from here on out for perhaps the rest of the offseason.
In all honesty, many people might say Ojabo is a bust, having not played that much in his time with the Ravens. Still, a lot of his career was predicated on him suffering a significant injury during his pro day that may have altered how his career has played out.
College Dominance Showed Ojabo’s True Potential
It was however, really his college career that springboarded him into the NFL conversation. In 2021, his senior season at Michigan, he recored 11 sacks, 12 TFLS and set a record for Michigan with five forced fumbles, a single season record. Along with Aidan Hutchinson, they formed a formidable duo.
The unfortunate injury though, may have factored into his early career slump. While a second round pick, he failed to live up that lofty standard. Still, him being able to fill a role rotationally for the Ravens spells well for how he could look in Miami.
Dolphins Betting on a Low-Risk Reclamation Project
This being one of GM Jon-Eric Sullivan’s first defensive signings, while Ojabo is not as exciting as other options on the open market, the eye Sullivan has had for talent in free agency is undeniable. After all, it was him who was part of finagling a deal with Dallas for Micah Parsons last year. Besides, wit Ojabo really the only signing with injury issues throughout his career, one can’t really say that Sullivan is completely in the wrong for this move.
With this low risk move(details not fully disclosed), Sullivan has established that he is willing to give players a second chance and most importantly, a chance to rejuvenate their future on a team going through a rebuild. Ojabo is still also only 26 years old, so he already fits in a pass rush rotation fill of young talent like Chop Robinson.
For the Dolphins, it also gives them an identity and an approach they can build upon as well. They aren’t yet in a position to contend, but with their recent moves, they honed in on players who can potentially help the team progress slowly. Ojabo may not move the needle, but for potentially only one year, it could end up being worth it for the Dolphins in the end.
The bottom line is Hafley and Sullivan needed a game plan and they are setting it forth with these moves. Ojabo is one that fans may not get now, but can come to appreciate later.