David Ojabo has to be on this list simply because if not for a torn Achilles that took place at his pro day, he was a first-round pick in all likelihood. How far will that injury knock him down the board?
Ojabo was one of the nation’s best pass-rushers in 2021, netting 11 sacks. Though he was overshadowed by his own teammate, Aidan Hutchinson, his efforts were still a big reason why the Wolverines made it to the College Football Playoff.
The team that drafts Ojabo is obviously going to have to be patient as his rookie season could be a quiet one between rehabbing his injury and then acclimating himself to his new surroundings once he can retake the field.
It is difficult to predict where Ojabo will be drafted as many teams may be completely scared off by his injury while others will feel they have the time and the players in place in order for him to wait and develop.
The Broncos could potentially have Ojabo replace Chubb, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Unless Chubb has a massive year, the Broncos could be willing to move on. A healthy Ojabo could be an interesting option to take his spot.
If still on the board at No. 64, the Broncos would have to at least have the conversation. Getting a player with first-round talent that late would be a steal, but the team would have to be 100 percent confident in his recovery.
The flip side of that coin is that if he falls that far, every team will start to wonder why he’s falling like that and it could be a complete freefall. Not long ago, another player from Michigan, Maurice Hurst, was a projected first-round pick but a heart defect that was diagnosed at the scouting combine scared everyone off and he fell all the way to the fifth round.
Ojabo won’t last until the fifth round, but will be still be on the board at 64?