Nobody in the NFL goes to the minor details of the rules to generate every type of advantage more than the Baltimore Ravens. This week, they did it again.
The NFL granted a roster exemption to Baltimore for edge defender David Ojabo, a former second-round pick, as a part of the International Pathway Program. With the extra roster spot, the Ravens signed undrafted rookie Kaimon Rucker from North Carolina.
How the IPP works
The International Pathway Program was created by the NFL to incentivize teams to develop foreign football players without significant previous experience in the sport. The best example was Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata, who arrived in the United States at 21 after playing rugby in Australia. The IPP grew, and now every team has a roster exemption, meaning that the international player doesn't count towards the 90-man roster limit. If he is cut and clears waivers, the player can return to the practice squad without counting towards the 16-man PS limit either.
To qualify for the program, an international player must have citizenship and residency outside the United States and Canada, with a maximum of two years of US high school experience.
And this is the loophole the Ravens found. Even though Ojabo played college football and was a second-round draft pick, he was still eligible.
Ojabo was born in Nigeria and moved to Scotland when he was seven. He arrived in the United States at 17 for high school at Blairstown, New Jersey, where he started playing football. He played three college seasons at Michigan and was a second-round pick in 2022.
Because of all that, the Ravens were able to apply for the exemption and get it. He will receive the same salary, based on the rookie contract he signed three years ago, but won't count towards the offseason roster limit.
Career in the NFL
David Ojabo has always been perceived as a developmental player. He's appeared in 18 NFL games and started one through his first three seasons with the Ravens, having four sacks. Last year, he played a career high 275 defensive snaps, generating 12 pressures and five stops.
Ojabo has an elite athletic profile. According to his Relative Athletic Score, the Nigerian has elite speed and explosion, with okay size and agility.
