2021 first-round outside linebacker Odafe Oweh is currently in the midst of his best season since entering the NFL as a developmental prospect out of Penn State.
Since returning from an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals that kept him out for multiple weeks of the season, Oweh has notched a sack in four of his last five games, surpassing his total number of sacks for the entire 2022 season.
The third-year edge rusher has been a major component of a Ravens’ defense that leads the NFL in sacks through 11 weeks, and he only appears to be getting better.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Oweh was asked if feels like he is just scratching the surface of his potential.
“Yes, but I’ve really always felt that,” Oweh said. “I feel like there’s still so much I can get better at, in all aspects of my game because I started [playing football] late. The place where I got drafted, obviously, it required a lot of expectations early, but I’m still very much in [the] developmental stage. I still have a lot to prove. There’s still a lot to get better on, so I agree. I feel like I’m just scratching the surface.”
According to Next Gen Stats, Oweh generated seven pressures and a 35.0% pressure rate to go with one sack in the team’s win over the Bengals in Week 11 and has generated over a 15% pressure rate in five straight games since returning from injury.
Odafe Oweh generated a career-high 7 pressures and 35.0% pressure rate, 5 of which came in matchups against Orlando Brown.
Oweh has generated a 15%+ pressure rate in five straight games since returning from injury, trailing only Bryce Huff (7 games).#CINvsBAL | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/jEP85jR9um
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 17, 2023
Baltimore will have a decision to make this offseason on whether or not to pick up Oweh’s fifth-year option, which at this current pace, feels more likely than not to happen.
When the Ravens drafted the Penn State edge rusher with zero sacks in his senior season with the No. 31 overall pick, they hoped that his overwhelming physical traits would come together at the next level. After a promising rookie season and a disappointing follow-up in 2022, Oweh appears to be putting it all together on the field for Baltimore.