The 2024 Baltimore Ravens have a lot of big names on the roster, from MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson to the recently-added All-Pro running back Derrick Henry. However, if the Ravens are true Super Bowl contenders this season, they will need contributions from their unheralded players as well, like Deonte Harty and David Ojabo.
The Ravens' patience with David Ojabo could finally pay off
Baltimore has been one of the smartest drafting organizations in the NFL over the last two decades. The franchise always seems to get good value, find the right fit, and see what other teams don’t in prospects.
One of the few bold Ravens draft moves that hasn’t paid off yet is taking Michigan pass rusher David Ojabo in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In his final season with the Wolverines, Ojabo dominated, putting up 11.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for a loss. The Nigerian-born, Scotland-raised, New Jersey native seemed on track to be a first-round pick after that but sadly tore his ACL at the Michigan Pro Day.
Knowing that 2022 would almost certainly be a redshirt season for the rookie, Ojabo slid to pick No. 45 and the Ravens. The outside linebacker did get back in 2022 but played just 29 total snaps in two games.
Starting 2023 healthy, Ojabo looked like a potential breakout candidate for Baltimore, but a season-ending knee injury ended his sophomore season after just 83 snaps.
Now, Ojabo starts the season healthy once more, and that talent that propelled him to double-digit sacks at Michigan and a potential first-round pick is (hopefully) still there.
One of last year’s OLB starters, Kyle Van Noy, is still on the Ravens, but at 32, it’s fair to ask how much he has left in the tank. Ojabo’s high school teammate, Odafe Oweh, is likely the starter on the other side.
Behind these two, the Ravens’ outside pass-rush corps features a bunch of unknown and unproven young veterans and a 2024 third-round pick out of Penn State, Adisa Isaac.
David Ojabo will have the opportunity to solidify his spot as the Ravens’ top edge rusher this season, and with two false starts in his rearview mirror, this could be the campaign where he finally announces his arrival to the NFL.
Deonte Harty could be an impact free agent signing
The Ravens didn’t make many moves in free agency this offseason, but they did sign the active leader in career rushing yards, Derrick Henry. After that, most of the free agents they brought in may not even make the team.
That said, inking veteran wide receiver Deonte Harty from the Buffalo Bills for one year and $1.2 million may be a huge value signing.
Harty is a decent fourth or fifth wide receiver, which is exactly what he will be with the 2024 Ravens behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and rookie Tez Walker on the roster.
Where Harty’s real value lies, though, is in special teams. As a rookie with the New Orleans Saints, the now-26-year-old led the league in punt returns, punt return yards, and made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team as a special teamer.
Harty hasn’t yet returned to those rookie heights, but he has been one of the consistently best return men in the NFL over his five NFL seasons. Now, the Baltimore native and Archbishop Curley grad returns to his hometown at the perfect time.
With the NFL kickoff rules changing to the XFL-style play in 2024, there is a high likelihood that return men once again become hugely valuable commodities in pro football. Harty already has two punt return touchdowns, and as the league tries to figure out the best way to block and cover the new kickoff, Harty could easily add a TD on that side as well.
The Ravens already have a leg up on the league as former special teams coach John Harbaugh seems like one of the most likely coaches to exploit this new play early in the season. If he can unlock Harty’s potential here, the Ravens could have something special to start games and to set Lamar Jackson and company up for success to start drives.
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