In response to a question about his expectations for the upcoming NFL season, Baltimore Ravens edge rusher, Odafe Oweh, said that he wants to be \u201cdominant\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be dominant, you know. And just help our defense to be the best thing that we can be this year,\u201d said Oweh, regarding his goals for 2023.<\/p>\n
For Baltimore to find defensive success in 2023, their young edge rushers will need to step up. Oweh, a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, has underwhelmed so far. While he has flashed his athleticism at times, his production has been largely non-existent.<\/p>\n
David Ojabo will start opposite Oweh this year. Ojabo was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was projected as a top-ten pick but a torn Achilles dropped his draft stock significantly. The former Michigan pass rusher missed most of his rookie season<\/a> due to the torn Achilles, but his appearances late in the season showed promise.<\/p>\n \u201cWe [Oweh and Ojabo] know that there\u2019s a real opportunity right here, a real great story,\u201d said Oweh. He followed that up by saying that him and Ojabo \u201cknow the opportunity that we have, we just want to be those guys for Baltimore\u201d.<\/p>\n The Ravens defense stepped up last year when the team traded for Roquan Smith<\/a>. He was Baltimore\u2019s defensive player of the year, lifting the unit to new heights.<\/p>\n In Smith\u2019s nine 2022 games for Baltimore, the defensive unit managed 10 total turnovers, holding opposing offenses to just 299 yards per game. Had the defense been that effective throughout 2022, they would have ranked second in the NFL.<\/p>\n In short, the Ravens defense enters 2023 brimming with confidence, knowing they are one of the league\u2019s top units.<\/p>\n More defense drills at Ravens football school pic.twitter.com\/V9fuKqyufl<\/a><\/p>\n — Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n