Ravens pick up fifth-year option on OLB Odafe Oweh
Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun
Last season, Oweh got off to a solid start with two tackles and three pressures in the Ravens’ season opener against the Houston Texans and eventual NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, but he injured his ankle in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the next four games.
Oweh finished with five sacks and just 15 pressures, though he ranked 14th in pass rush win rate among edge rushers with at least 270 snaps on passing plays, according to Pro Football Focus.
In keeping Oweh for at least another two seasons, Baltimore also gives him more time to continue to develop and produce under outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith, whom the team hired in March 2023. It’s a calculated risk, though not one with some downside if Oweh remains inconsistent.
Clearly, though, the Ravens are betting on the upside.
2024 NFL Draft: 10 favorite team draft classes
Sam Monson, PFF
Nate Wiggins has the coverage talent to be the best cornerback in this draft. A 4.28-second 40-yard dash won’t hurt his chances, either. Wiggins allowed just a 44.4 passer rating into his coverage last season, surrendering 18 catches all year.
Roger Rosengarten can potentially start from Day 1, and edge rusher Adisa Isaac brings some strength to the edge rotation.
Tez Walker at receiver and T.J. Tampa at cornerback in the fourth round is daylight robbery. Walker averaged 2.28 yards per route run last season with an average depth of target 18.2 yards downfield. He had a terrible Senior Bowl week full of drops but totaled only three drops last season for North Carolina.
What Each Rookie Draft Pick Will Look to Prove
Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com
OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington (2/62)
Question: How will Rosengarten’s run blocking translate from a spread offense to the Ravens?
Rosengarten’s pass-blocking was elite as Washington’s starting right tackle, protecting lefty Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside.
But only 33 college football teams ran the ball fewer times.
Rosengarten thinks any questions about his run blocking will be answered and is eager to compete for a starting position.
“Just coming from college, we were a pass-heavy offense, so obviously I feel very confident in pass set, but also in my run blocking,” Rosengarten said. “I feel like my run blocking is underrated. We were kind of in that spread offense, run-scheme, zone-scheme, but it doesn’t matter what scheme it is, I feel confident within run-pass screens, getting out in space. I just feel confident in it all.”
OLB Adisa Isaac, Penn State, (3/93)
Question: Isaac has prolific pass rushing potential, but how well will he defend the run ?
Isaac had more sacks at Penn State last season (7.5) than his teammate Chop Robinson (4), whom the Dolphins took with the 21st pick overall. He Isaac could have an immediate impact on the Ravens’ pass rush. However, the Ravens see Isaac as much more than someone who gets after quarterbacks.
“I saw a guy on tape that makes a lot of plays, and he does it in a real athletic way,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s heavy-handed against the run. So for us, he’s going to be in the rotation.”
Isaac is powerfully built at 6-foot-4, 247 pounds, giving him the ability to shed stand up blockers as a run defender. He views himself as a three-down linebacker who will prove himself as a complete player.
“I feel like I’m very versatile,” Isaac said. “I can make plays on dropping, make plays on rushing, make plays in the run game. I’m just a very versatile player that you can plug and play anywhere.”
Evaluating The Baltimore Ravens’ 2024 NFL Draft Picks And Undrafted Free Agents
Joe Serpico, PressBox
Round 5, Pick 165: Raheem Ali, RB, Marshall — Doesn’t have home-run speed like Keaton Mitchell but a solid third-down running back who can catch passes.
Round 6, Pick 218: Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky — Rarely am I puzzled by a Ravens pick. They must see something I do not because he did not impress in his final collegiate season.
Round 7, Pick 228: Nick Samac, C, Michigan State — Experienced center who will provide depth behind Tyler Linderbaum.
Round 7, Pick 250: Sanoussi Kane, S, Purdue — Downhill safety who will contribute on special teams early in his career.
Baltimore is known for finding undrafted gems, and Beau Brade has to be the favorite of the undrafted free agents to make the roster. I am still in disbelief he was not drafted, but he has a chance to make an impact for his hometown team. It will be a competition between Brade and Kane for the backup safety spot. Some others who might be able to sneak on the roster are Riley Sharp, Tayvion Robinson and Yvandy Rigby.
Ravens roster projection: Rookies will need to make an immediate impact
Jonas Shaffer & Giana Han, The Baltimore Banner
Wide receiver
Starters: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman
Backups: Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace
On the bubble: Sean Ryan
The Ravens’ top four receivers have a good mix of skills, but can the group be better than last year’s? That’ll depend on Flowers’ growth in Year 2, Bateman’s chemistry with Jackson, and Walker’s development. Odell Beckham Jr. won’t be easily replaced. Harty had 150 receiving yards last season with the Buffalo Bills, but it’s his ability as a returner that should secure his roster spot. Wallace, when healthy, has been a regular special teams presence. And Ryan spent his rookie season on the practice squad and has good size.
Interior offensive line
Starters: Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Ben Cleveland
Backups: Josh Jones, Sala Aumavae-Laulu, Nick Samac
On the bubble: TyKeem Doss, Tashawn Manning
Linderbaum is the only sure thing here, and Cleveland is the only returning lineman who started multiple games at guard last year. Jones started Week 1 at left guard for the Houston Texans last season, but he has just 63 snaps of total experience at the position, according to Pro Football Focus. The rest of the depth chart is littered with unknowns. Can Vorhees be a serviceable starter after missing all of last year while recovering from a torn ACL? How much has Aumavae-Laulu improved since an unimpressive preseason? Samac is a good insurance policy for Linderbaum, especially with backup center Sam Mustipher’s departure, but there’s room for another piece on this line. Guard Dalton Risner, who started 11 games at left guard last season for the Minnesota Vikings, is likely the top free agent at the position available. According to PFF, his projected contract would be worth $5.5 million annually.
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