Ravens: Odafe Oweh named Defensive POTW after star-making game

The Baltimore Ravens have seen the rapid emergence of Odafe Oweh through the first two weeks of the 2021 season.

The rookie first-round pick is well on his way to stardom and has officially put his name on the map in the NFL world following a star-making performance on Sunday Night Football in Week 2.

Oweh tallied three pressures, a QB hit, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble late in the fourth quarter that ultimately proved to be the difference-maker in a tight win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Oh, and did we mention that he recovered that fumble too? Or that his QB hit forced an errant Patrick Mahomes pass that was intercepted by Tavon Young?

Oweh was all over the field on Sunday night. And for his efforts, he was officially named this week’s AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Ravens rookie Odafe Oweh is already well on his way to NFL stardom

The 31st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, many viewed Oweh as a developmental project coming out of college. The former Penn State standout was seen as a player who might be forced to play a part-time role as a rookie given his perceived lack of overall polish.

Oweh was raw, or at least that was the narrative. But he’s quickly proving to be anything but.

Oweh recorded his first career sack in Week 1 and racked up four total pressures. Through two games, the only rookie with more pressures is Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys.

He played over 50 percent of defensive snaps in Week 1 and was on the field for a whopping 75 percent of snaps in Week 2, the most among all Ravens outside linebackers.

That’s right, in an outside linebacker group featuring veterans like Justin Houston, Pernell McPhee, and Tyus Bowser, it’s the “raw” Oweh who is receiving the most playing time.

And given how well he’s played to this point, that’s how it should be.

Oweh is legitimately one of the Ravens’ best players right now. He’s been a borderline-elite run defender and a very productive pass rusher.

And truth be told, he might be the early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, although he faces some steep competition.

Odafe Oweh is a star in the making. And Week 2 was his official coming-out party.