Ravens Urged to Trade David Ojabo for ‘Elite Pass-Rusher’

The Baltimore Ravens’ investment in David Ojabo, a 2022 second-round draft pick, hasn’t yielded much due to injuries. That might alter if the outside linebacker is traded by the Ravens for Carolina Panthers “elite pass-rusher” Brian Burns.

According to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report, Ojabo and a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft in addition to a third-round pick in 2025 would be sufficient to get Burns.

He said that the Panthers would be able to “load up on picks for a rebuild that’s going to take multiple years” as a result of this agreement.

Ballentine also believes acquiring Burns would give the Ravens “the chance to add an elite pass-rusher to an already great defense.” Specifically, the opportunity to pair edge-rusher Burns with dynamic defensive tackle Justin Madubuike “would break their Super Bowl window wide open.”

While this trade package would be a hefty one, the Ravens have at least shown interest in two-time Pro Bowler Burns in the past.

Ravens Have Previously Explored Trade for Brian Burns

Ballentine cites a story from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that verifies the prior interest. Before the NFL trade deadline, Schefter disclosed on November 4 that “the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens also reached out to the Panthers about Burns.”

Considering that the Ravens have the toughest pass rush in the league, interest in Burns makes sense. Burns is a fierce outside pass-rusher who gains an advantage with his closing speed and first-step agility.

The 25-year-old can also outmaneuver blockers with a variety of techniques. In Week 3, he demonstrated the versatility of his rush strategy to record this sack against the Seattle Seahawks, as Fox Sports’ John Ellis highlighted.

According to Pro Football Reference, Burns has produced six sacks, eighteen pressures, and nineteen quarterback knockdowns. Considering how badly the 2-12 Panthers have struggled this season, those are respectable stats.

The Ravens could add youth at a crucial defensive position if they were able to get Burns. Kyle Van Noy is 32, and Jadeveon Clowney, the starting edge rusher, is thirty.

It will be expensive to get a younger, elite player to back up the veterans, but if Burns is the Ravens’ top target, they will have to pay the money.

Not after the Los Angeles Rams rejected two first-round selections from the Panthers in 2022, according to Schefter.

Perhaps a couple of picks and a pro-ready pass-rusher like Ojabo might be enough to swing a deal. Provided the Panthers believe Ojabo can stay healthy and reach his full potential.

David Ojabo Might Need Fresh Start

Ojabo’s October injury that put him on injured reserve due to knee and ankle issues was just another setback for the former Michigan star.

Head coach John Harbaugh has projected that Ojabo will return for training camp, but even then, he will have missed all but five games over the previous two years.

Ojabo is a potential game-changer, but if the Ravens can bring in a proven player like Burns, they might rather move on before he realizes it.

That would be difficult for Ojabo, but he could need a fresh start in order to succeed in the NFL after all.

Playing time with the Ravens will he hard to come by since Clowney has impressed, while Odafe Oweh has earned comparisons with All-Pro Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett.

Putting Burns into the mix with Clowney and Oweh would made a pass rush leading the league with 50 sacks this season even more prolific.

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