Baltimore Beatdown
Every year, the Ravens seem to have at least one or two younger players develop and emerge as Pro Bowl-caliber talents. In recent seasons, the likes of Zay Flowers, Nnamdi Madubuike, Tyler Linderbaum, and Kyle Hamilton earn their first career Pro Bowls selections. Flowers was named a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024, while the latter four have now made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons.
The Ravens are also typically near the top of the league in Pro Bowl nominations. Last season, they had a league-high nine players named to the Pro Bowl roster. With team success comes high recognition, and the Ravens have been one of the winningest teams over the past several years.
While the Ravens now have several established Pro Bowl players on the roster, who could break through as a new first-time representative in 2025?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
My answer: EDGE Odafe Oweh
Oweh has been billed as a potential breakout player for the past several seasons. Last year, the former first-round pick had the most productive year of his career to-date. In his fourth season, Oweh crossed the double-digit sack threshold (10 while recording 23 quarterback hits, 12 quarterback knockdowns, and 28 pressures — all of which were career-best totals.
The Ravens picked up Oweh’s fifth-year contract option for 2025 but the two sides did not ink a long-term extension. Thus, Oweh is entering a pivotal fifth career season with the opportunity to earn himself a substantial amount of money.
There’s a checkered history in Baltimore of pass-rushers having career seasons in contract years and doing just that. Oweh seems primed to be next in line and build upon his performance in 2024 with even more production this coming season.
Oweh bulked up significantly in the offseason, which should make him more well-rounded and increase his effectiveness against bigger offensive lineman. The Ravens have a deep edge rusher room but Oweh will be relied upon to lead the charge alongside Kyle Van Noy, who is 33 years old, and incoming rookie Mike Green.
Working against Oweh’s favor for Pro Bowl hopes is the fact that the AFC is loaded at his position, with the likes of Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, and Trey Hendrickson usually among the league-leaders in pass rushing production.
However, with Watt and Hendrickson currently dealing with contract disputes, there’s a possibility of a larger window opening for Oweh to emerge through. Even if the AFC is at full strength with all its premier defensive ends playing a full season, the recipe for Oweh to earn his first Pro Bowl nod is still there: another career-best statistical campaign with a few signature moments for one of the league’s best defenses.
Do you agree that Oweh is the most likely first-time Pro Bowl candidate the Ravens have in 2025? Or do you think it’s another player instead? Chime in with your thoughts below!
