The Baltimore Ravens selected Penn State pass rusher Odafe Oweh with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but many consider this choice a disappointment. Since then, the Ravens have struggled to get the expected impact from Oweh, making his selection a point of frustration.
Over the course of four seasons and 62 games, Oweh has recorded 23 sacks and started just 13 games before 2024. In 2023, he appeared in 17 games and started 10, but his production has not matched the typical level expected from a first-round pick. This underperformance has prompted critics and fans alike to question the value of the Ravens’ investment in him.
Bleacher Report’s Alternate Draft Pick Highlights Team’s Regret
Bleacher Report conducted a playful re-draft exercise focusing on the Ravens’ biggest draft misses over the past five years, offering a fresh perspective. Their analysis identified Oweh as the default choice for reconsideration despite his status as a projected starter in the upcoming season.
“We have to bend the rules for the Ravens a bit since Oweh is projected to be a starter this season. But Baltimore doesn’t have a blatant first-round miss over the last five years, making it slim pickings,”
the website noted.
“Linebacker Patrick Queen was the other player considered since he didn’t sign a second contract with the club, but Queen was a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate and a Pro Bowler in Baltimore. So, somewhat unfairly, Oweh is the default pick even though he isn’t a ‘bust.’”
Replacement Pick: Landon Dickerson’s Superior Career So Far
In Bleacher Report’s reimagined draft, the Ravens would instead choose offensive lineman Landon Dickerson, originally selected 37th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Dickerson’s career has shown more immediate impact and steady performance compared to Oweh’s.
“Dickerson has earned three Pro Bowl bids in four seasons and is currently the second-highest-paid guard in the NFL on a dollar-per-year basis, according to Over The Cap,”
the report added.
“Meanwhile, the Ravens have questions on the interior offensive line, making him a suitable replacement for Oweh in this exercise.”
Though this speculative re-draft serves as lighthearted offseason content, it underscores genuine concerns about the Ravens’ 2021 first-round pick and the ongoing challenges on their defensive front.
Training Camp and Player Objectives Remain in Focus
As the Ravens prepare for training camp, with dates recently announced, the team is focusing on strengthening key areas, including both defense and offensive line positions. Veterans such as Kyle Van Noy are motivated to excel this season, with Van Noy notably seeking redemption after past high-profile matchups, such as his ongoing anticipation to face Aaron Rodgers again after ten years.
The Ravens’ hopes hinge on emerging talent and roster adjustments as they work to overcome past draft disappointments and improve overall team performance in the coming NFL season.