The Baltimore Ravens‘ outside linebacker unit admittedly feels tame heading into the 2022 season, but the pass-rush should be set for 2023 and beyond.
This offseason, the Ravens brought back Justin Houston and signed Vince Biegel to add crucial depth to their pass-rushing corps. The team’s projected starters at the position will likely be Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser, both of whom could enjoy a successful year in 2022.
Yet Oweh hasn’t quite solidified his role as a reliable every-down edge defender and Bowser is recovering from a serious injury. Behind them, Houston and Biegel pose as only moderately productive vets.
No Ravens in the 2021 season produced anywhere close to double-digit sacks; Bowser led the team with seven, Oweh had five, and Houston had 4.5.
With the failed acquisition of Za’Darius Smith, the Ravens’ outside linebacker unit looks nearly identical to that of last year, and the team’s defense may suffer again from a weak pass-rush.
There is rightfully some concern about the Ravens' pass rush and how Baltimore will create pressure on QBs this season.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 3, 2022
But next year, the Ravens should be set with Odafe Oweh and a healthy David Ojabo coming off the edges.
Ravens’ pass-rush will get a much-needed boost in 2023 with David Ojabo
Once David Ojabo recovers from injury and joins the lineup, though, Baltimore could have a young and dangerous pass-rushing duo in Oweh and Ojabo for years to come. The team heavily invested in those two players (first and second-round picks) and should see returns as early as 2023.
Ojabo, who tore his Achilles this past March, could see the field some time during the 2022 season if his rehab goes extremely well, but the Ravens won’t want to rush him into his first NFL game.
While Ojabo sits on the sidelines, the team is hoping for a monumental second-year jump from Oweh, who could record double-digit sacks this season as long as he stays productive all year round.
Assuming Oweh makes at least small improvements to his game and Ojabo recovers to full strength for next season, the Ravens won’t have to worry about their pass-rush in 2023.
Yes, that’s a full year from now and anything could happen between now and then, but there are plenty of reasons to stay optimistic about Baltimore’s talented albeit unproven outside linebacker unit.
Oweh and Ojabo are the names to keep an eye on this season. With those two healthy and raring to go, the Ravens’ pass rush will be in good hands.