The Baltimore Ravens announced that they have picked up the fifth-year option of outside linebacker Odafe Oweh. Oweh will now remain in Baltimore through 2025 earning just over $2 million in base salary in 2024, and $13.251 million in 2025.
Tuesdays announcement now means the Ravens have secured both of their first round picks from 2021, for at least another two seasons, as the Ravens also signed wide receiver Rashod Bateman to a three-year extension last week.
Oweh who was the Ravens 31st selection in the 2021 NFL draft out of Penn State, and has been a serviceable player in his three years thus far in Baltimore. Oweh started his Ravens career with a bang his rookie season forcing a crucial fumble in the Ravens 36-35 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in just his second career game. However, Oweh would miss the final two weeks of his rookie year with an injury, but combined for 33 tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2021.
Oweh returned in 2022 to play in all 17 games totaling a career high 43 tackles, three sack, and one forced fumble. While this past season Oweh dealt with an ankle injury that forced him to miss four games early in the 2023 season. Oweh would return to play in the Ravens final 11 games finishing with 23 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and five sacks, his most since his rookie season.
While the stats for Oweh don’t jump off the page, Oweh for the most part has been one of the more reliable outside linebackers on the team in terms of health. The sack totals may not be high for what you would expect from a former first-round pick, Oweh’s ability to set the edge and create pressures are often overlooked in terms of what he does to help this Ravens defense succeed.
The Ravens lost Jadeveon Clowney in free agency, but were able to re-sign Kyle Van Noy, who had a career high nine sacks for the Ravens last season. Other notable returners at the outside linebacker position include Malik Harrison, and second-year player Tavius Robinson. David Ojabo also returns in 2024, and will look to finally make an impact, and stay healthy, as he has played in just five games in the last two seasons. The Ravens also used one of their draft picks to select Penn State outside linebacker Adisa Isaac with pick number 93 in the third round.
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