Ravens: Odafe Oweh ‘having an eye-opening camp,’ per reports
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens had high hopes for Odafe Oweh when they selected him with the 31st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. And so far, he’s living up to the hype.
It’s still early, but Oweh has quickly reminded everyone why the Ravens coveted him as much as they did. Unrelenting speed and athleticism.
Baltimore is undoubtedly going to ease him into a role on defense, that much is a given. He remains a little rough around the edges and could use the extra development.
But Oweh has shined this summer. And many are beginning to take notice.
One such individual is Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic who recently detailed how Oweh has had an “eye-opening” training camp.
"“The Ravens have rookie first-round outside linebacker Odafe Oweh participating in special teams drills. It’s a pretty impressive sight to watch the 6-foot-5, 251-pound player cover as much ground as quickly and effortlessly as Oweh does. Oweh stood out in a more traditional manner later in practice, getting the best of right tackle Alejandro Villanueva during full-team work. The former Penn State star is having an eye-opening camp.”"
Odafe Oweh is quickly impressing the Ravens coaching staff.
Oweh stands at 6-foot-5 and over 250 pounds, yet he moves like a player half his size (figuratively speaking, of course). He clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.39 at his pro day — the same time that his fellow first-round pick, Rashod Bateman, posted.
Oweh is a wide receiver or running back in an edge rusher’s body, and he’s quickly proved that in camp.
The Ravens have lined Oweh up anywhere from edge rusher to off-ball linebacker to even in the slot. His versatility and athleticism will be coveted by defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
As NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently put it after visiting Ravens training camp, Oweh looks “very explosive.” Explosive might just be the best way to describe his game.
Whether rushing the passer or playing pursuit in run defense, Oweh explodes out of his stance and has made a fool of veteran right tackle Alejandro Villanueva on a number of occasions this summer.
He might struggle early on against nimble, more athletic offensive tackles. After all, he isn’t going to win on athleticism alone in the NFL. That’s why he remains a project — a project with a very high ceiling.
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Odafe Oweh may still be in the early stages of his NFL career, but the early signs indicate that he has superstar potential. Now, it’s all about putting it all together.