The case for spending $$ on Odafe Oweh

I think Odafe Oweh makes a ton of sense for the Commanders in free agency. Part of my thought process is understanding why Baltimore moved on from Oweh.

The Ravens traded him mid-season after he posted zero sacks through five games following a 10-sack 2024 campaign. Baltimore was in complete crisis mode when they made that move. Their secondary was destroyed by injuries. Kyle Hamilton was out with a groin injury. Ar’Darius Washington was done for the year with an Achilles. They needed safety help badly and Oweh was in the last year of his deal anyway with no extension coming. They also got $8 million in cap space and a fifth-round pick back in the deal.

Chargers DC Jesse Minter said after the season that all they did was simplify his responsibilities and give him more freedom as a pass rusher. He then went out and posted 7.5 sacks in 12 games.

Now think about what we have here in Washington. We have around $82 million in cap space. We have a massive hole at edge rusher. We have a new DC in Daronte Jones who is building his scheme around athletic pass rushers who can win quickly off the edge. Oweh at 27 years old fits that profile perfectly. Everyone is chasing Hendrickson or Phillips. Hendrickson is going to cost $27-30 million a year. Phillips is a serious injury risk. Oweh is going to come in cheaper than both of them and he is clearly still ascending. We have seen what he looks like when a coaching staff actually uses him correctly. y.​​​​​