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7 low-key options for the Bengals in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft

By Cole Sullivan

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: David Ojabo #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after recording a sack against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: David Ojabo #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after recording a sack against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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David Ojabo (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
David Ojabo (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

6. David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

David Ojabo suffered a torn Achilles during the NFL Combine otherwise he wouldn’t be in consideration for the Cincinnati Bengals at 31. There is a chance he falls to Cincinnati, especially if the first round becomes more quarterback-heavy, freeing up some players to potentially fall to the end of the round.

Don’t expect Ojabo to slip too far. Still, a team that needs an instant contributor may pass, which could lead him to fall to a current contender in the league that could use a linebacker/edge rusher, and Cincinnati doesn’t necessarily need Ojabo. Although, in reality, there’s not a position they desperately need.

One could make a case for the offensive line, but the stripes added three in free agency. One could also make a case for a cornerback, but they made the Super Bowl with Eli Apple as a starter last season, so it’s not like they can’t win if Apple is the starter. Plus, there are a lot of talented cornerbacks in this draft.

Ojabo is 6’4″, 250 pounds, and ran a 4.55 40-yard dash. Ojabo’s energy has been something that has been raved about, and the possibility of having David Ojabo and Joseph Ossai as future edge rushers should intrigue Bengals fans.

Their motors and energy are matched. Ojabo’s leadership has also been something that has been raved about at Michigan. He also has an extremely high IQ when it comes to the way he approaches a blitz and a pass rush. He can confuse tackles with altered cadence, stutter steps with an unpredictable pass rush, and use his agility and speed to make smooth moves that lead him into the backfield.