Chargers Bolster Pass Rush with Trade for Ravens’ Odafe Oweh
The Los Angeles Chargers have made a significant move to address their pass-rushing needs, acquiring defensive end Odafe Oweh from the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. In exchange, the Ravens received safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick, while the Chargers also sent a 2027 seventh-round pick to Baltimore. The trade comes as the Chargers navigate life without Khalil Mack, currently sidelined with an elbow injury.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating Oweh possesses a similar skillset to Mack. “He’s a lot like Khalil Mack. Direct rusher, but has speed, has depth, has ability to set the edge,” Harbaugh said Wednesday, according to ESPN. “Been a very good, productive young player, in the prime of his career.”
Oweh, a first-round pick (No. 31 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State, brings a promising, albeit still developing, skillset to the Chargers’ defense. Throughout his three seasons with the Ravens, he has accumulated 148 total tackles, 23 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 66 quarterback hits, and seven forced fumbles across 67 career games. This season, despite playing in only five games, Oweh recorded 10 tackles and five quarterback hits.
Prior to entering the NFL, Oweh drew comparisons to Chargers veteran Bud Dupree, largely due to his impressive physical attributes. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 257 pounds, Oweh showcased exceptional athleticism at the NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, achieving a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and a 134-inch broad jump. While considered a raw prospect coming out of college, his speed and power made him a highly sought-after player.
Currently playing on his fifth-year option, Oweh now has an opportunity to prove his worth and secure a long-term contract with the Chargers over the remaining 12 games of the season. Harbaugh’s confidence suggests the team views Oweh as a potential cornerstone player, capable of significantly impacting the Chargers’ defensive line and bolstering their pursuit of a championship.
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