By Anthony Licciardi
The debate to prioritize coverage or pass rush has dominated NFL discourse in recent years. For the Baltimore Ravens, ballhawks in the defensive backfield have helped sustain one of the league’s most consistent defenses. Taking the next step forward means adding a potent pass rush to their arsenal. With a jump from edge rusher Odafe Oweh, they could do just that.
Oweh, the 31st pick in the 2021 draft, impressed in his rookie season, but dealt with shoulder issues that culminated in offseason surgery. Heading into year two, he’ll be navigating a depth chart stocked with talent. If given an ample chance to shine, it’ll be off to the races.
Oweh is dynamic enough to elevate Baltimore’s defense.
Simply put, Oweh is one of the most athletic edge rushers we’ve ever seen. The 6-foot-4, 257-pound outside linebacker ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and has both the agility and acceleration to match.
Oweh uses his speed well to chase down ball carriers and overwhelm opposing tackles. His five sacks and 15 QB hits ranked second among Ravens last year. Now stronger and with an extra offseason of coaching under his belt, Oweh is ready to bolt his way to a 10-sack season.
We’ve already seen the impact athletic freaks can have on a pass rush. Micah Parsons (while a different, better player) fundamentally changed the Dallas Cowboys defense for the better. Oweh will likely have the opportunity to do so in 2022.
His athleticism makes him a versatile commodity to be deployed by Mike Macdonald. He was largely a rotational piece last year due to struggles against the run, but when he can pin his ears back and rush the passer, he’s about what you expect: a blur off the edge that can end plays before they begin.
Any improvements against the run would lead to an uptick in early down usage and plenty more opportunities to rush the passer. Unleashing the wild animal that is Oweh may be the first step in freeing a defensive front that ranked 21st in sacks per game (2) in 2021.
Oweh’s speed will be integral in a race to the playoffs that looks to come down to the wire. The Ravens currently own +160 odds to take home the AFC North crown per FanDuel. If they make it that far, their +2000 odds to win the Super Bowl will be a relic of the past.
Buy stock in Oweh while you can. Speed kills, and with Oweh’s athleticism, those odds could be gone in a flash.