4 players the Ravens must build around (not including Lamar Jackson)
By Kristen Wong
3. Odafe Oweh, OLB, Ravens
Odafe Oweh, also a 2020 first-round pick, put together a decent rookie season but hasn’t yet developed into the starting-caliber pass-rusher the Ravens expect him to be.
In 2021, he recorded five sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles, and he also had five turnovers caused by pressure, tied for the most in the league per Next Gen Stats. Nonetheless, Oweh’s production fizzled out by the end of the season when the team needed him the most.
Oweh has the potential to become the face of the Ravens’ edge-rushing unit, but only if he manages to stay productive and consistent all year round, year after year.
Baltimore can facilitate his success by pairing him with a savvy outside linebacker and having him learn from the best — right now, that player is likely Tyus Bowser, who has five years of experience under his belt.
Baltimore’s pass-rushing corps by and large looks the weakest it has been in recent years with veterans Vince Biegel and Steven Means along with raw talent Daelin Hayes sitting behind Oweh and Bowser on the depth chart.
Oweh has a ways to go to become an elite starter, but he also has his best football ahead of him and could follow in the footsteps of former Ravens’ Matt Judon or Yannick Ngakoue (though hopefully he’ll stay in Baltimore). Don’t rush his development.