As Odafe Oweh enters his fourth season with the Baltimore Ravens, the team holds high expectations for the young pass-rusher. Selected 31st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Oweh has shown potential but has yet to fully meet the lofty expectations that come with being a first-round pick. With just 13 sacks over his first three seasons, the Ravens likely anticipated more production.
However, the future looks promising for the Penn State product. For the first time in his career, Oweh is expected to secure a consistent starting role. His strong performance during the offseason has fueled optimism that he’s poised for a breakout season.
This excitement isn’t limited to the Ravens’ organization. NFL.com analyst Kevin Patra has identified Oweh as the team’s top candidate to make his first Pro Bowl appearance this season. Patra notes, “The Ravens boast Pro Bowlers up and down the roster, but Oweh, a former first-rounder, is still looking for his breakout season. The 25-year-old edge rusher is coming off a five-sack campaign in which he missed four games with an ankle injury. At 6-foot-5, Oweh boasts the quickness and agility to get around the edge and, at times, flashes dominant playmaking ability.”
The key for Oweh will be staying healthy and maintaining consistency over a full 17-game season. With Jadeveon Clowney no longer on the team and uncertainty surrounding the depth behind the starting lineup, Oweh is expected to see increased playing time, which could lead to a significant boost in his sack numbers.
Oweh’s talent is undeniable. His impressive performance at Penn State, where he recorded 6.5 sacks in just seven games during his final season, propelled his draft stock. Although his NFL career has had a slower start, the Ravens’ coaching staff remains confident in his potential.
Defensive coordinator Zach Orr expressed his belief in Oweh’s ability, stating, “I think the sky is the limit for Odafe. ‘Dafe’ has had a great training camp. This is the best training camp I’ve seen him have since we’ve been together. And I do agree; stats are one thing, but when you cut on the film and see the QB pressures or just causing havoc, him drawing a double team, getting pressure for somebody else or a sack for somebody else, we count that as stats as a coaching staff, [even though] that might not necessarily show up as a stat in the stat sheet.”
Orr added that the coaching staff expects Oweh to become even more disruptive and explosive, with his stats reflecting his impact on the field. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Oweh to see if he can finally live up to his potential and become a key contributor to the Ravens’ defense.
