Baltimore Ravens edge defender Odafe Oweh is coming off the best season of his career, but Pro Football Focus believes the team could trade him. After spending the first three years of his career in a backup role, Oweh earned the opportunity to start in 2024. With Jadeveon Clowney on the Carolina Panthers, Oweh inherited the vacated role and finished his breakout season with 10 sacks, 39 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, 23 quarterback hits, and a 71.5 PFF grade, the 31st-best mark out of 119 eligible players.
Now entering his age-27 season, the pass rusher will be a free agent after the 2025 season. PFF writes that this could be enough to justify a trade, as he will likely earn a massive extension in a year’s time. If the Ravens can get a decent pick for his services, they could consider making a move.
The former first-round pick has notched 109 pressures over the past two seasons on a 77.9 PFF pass-rushing grade, which ranks 21st among qualified edge defenders. While Oweh has been above average as both a pass rusher and a run defender, his play might not warrant a lucrative extension. The Ravens could face a crossroads with the 26-year-old heading into the draft.
PFF: Ravens Could Trade Odafe Oweh During NFL Draft
Possible Trade Partners
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers fortified the defensive tackle position with Tershawn Wharton, but they haven’t done much to address the edge defender position. The Panthers finished 2024 with 32 sacks, the third-fewest in the league. With Jadeveon Clowney getting another year older, Carolina must find a proper replacement for the departed Brian Burns. Odafe Oweh could be the ideal trade partner, as he can consistently pressure the quarterback and should have several years of strong play left in his tank. With Oweh, Wharton, and a now-healthy Derrick Brown, Carolina’s defense should be good enough to support an emerging Bryce Young.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have promising offensive pieces in Michael Penix, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson. However, these three cannot carry a poor defense, and Atlanta’s was one of the worst in the NFL last year. Following the failed Matthew Judon experiment, the Falcons should consider a trade for a younger, better pass rusher in Odafe Oweh. A franchise quarterback on a rookie contract is the biggest competitive advantage in sports, and it’s time they make the most of it by building a defense that can support a young, talent-filled offense.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions finished the 2024 season with the best record in the NFC, but they’ll struggle to repeat that feat with both coordinators leaving for head coaching opportunities. To offset this loss of brainpower, the Lions must compensate with an influx of talent. Aidan Hutchinson will return in 2025, but he needs another proven pass rusher opposite him. With free agent signee Marcus Davenport no guarantee to stay healthy, Odafe Oweh could provide some much-needed stability with a trade.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans extended Chase Young on a massive contract, but they still could use another pass rusher. Cameron Jordan will return on a reworked contract, but the future Hall of Famer is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Young and Odafe Oweh could be the future of this team’s pass rush and help Kellen Moore’s Saints compete in a weak division.
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