Baltimore Ravens pass-rusher Odafe Oweh got a special nod for his 2021 performance, ranking among some of the best rookies in the league.
Pro Football Focus recently released its 2021 NFL All-Rookie Team which featured several high-profile young talents such as Micah Parsons and Patrick Surtain II.
Oweh made the list, too, after posting a very productive Year 1 in the league. Ben Linsey writes:
"“There wasn’t much clarity on the edge defender class entering the 2021 NFL Draft, and it’s still difficult to say who will end up being the best of the group after one season. However, Oweh has earned a spot on this team following a season in which he led all rookie edge defenders in quarterback pressures.”"
Oweh’s 49 quarterback pressures beat Azeez Ojulari, Jaelan Phillips, and Kwity Paye, each of whom also enjoyed solid seasons on his respective team.
Oweh only recorded five sacks this year, but he also led all rookies with 10 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.
Ravens rookie Odafe Oweh gets recognized for fantastic Year 1
As Linsey notes, Oweh’s six tackles for loss against the run ranked third among rookie edge defenders.
There was talk before the season of Oweh’s effectiveness in the pass-rushing unit given the fact that Oweh didn’t record a single sack in his final year at Penn State.
As often as this is said, Oweh’s on-field play goes beyond pure stats, and he’s made an immediate impact setting the edge in the 15 games he’s played this season.
Micah Parsons ultimately ran away with the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2021, but Oweh was at least in the running for a short stretch.
Though Oweh’s production dropped off a bit toward the end, he has established himself as an extremely promising young star whose role will only grow in future seasons.
We can’t wait to see how much Oweh improves in 2022.