The Ravens have questions at pass rusher, but the decision to pick up Odafe Oweh's fifth-year option is looking mighty good so far.
Oweh dominated during Tuesday's Organized Team Activities practice at the Under Armour Performance Center, both as a pass rusher and run defender.
Oweh flashed on a half-dozen or more plays. His pressure created a desperate throwaway during a red-zone drill from the 5-yard line. He made another stop five yards deep in the backfield on an outside run by Justice Hill.
The Ravens are hoping for another jump from Oweh in his fourth year after he registered five sacks last season. Without Jadeveon Clowney, who led the Ravens with 9.5 sacks last season, Oweh will be leaned on even more heavily.
Here are more notes from Tuesday's OTA practice:
- Though Lamar Jackson didn't practice again, undrafted quarterback Emory Jones was on the field for the first time, giving the Ravens three passers.
- Rookie fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali did his first team drills after a torn biceps during the Senior Bowl limited him at the start of OTAs. He had one particularly strong one-cut downhill run that looked like the sort of play Derrick Henry would make.
- Oweh wasn't the only young outside linebacker who flashed. Tavius Robinson, who is entering his second season, made several impressive plays. He wrapped up Zay Flowers in the open field on one play, beat left tackle Ronnie Stanley around the edge on another and had a nice pass rush move on Daniel Faalele in another rep. Robinson was big even for a rookie, but he's even more physically impressive as a sophomore, and he built a strong foundation playing 29 percent of the Ravens' defensive snap last season.
- Second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson, the expected starter taking Patrick Queen's spot, has gotten off to a strong start at OTAs. He had a pair of pass deflections on Tuesday – one against tight end Isaiah Likely and another punching the ball away from Flowers. Likely was complimentary of Simpson after practice, giving him credit for winning the rep and saying he's playing faster and more instinctual.
- Wide receiver Tylan Wallace has a particularly active practice, catching several intermediate to deep passes. He has a real knack for winning deep out routes, and Josh Johnson ripped some nice throws to him.
- Undrafted safety Jordan Toles of Morgan State got his second interception of OTAs, this time against Devin Leary and the second-team offense.
- Rookie cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa each made good plays on the ball. Wiggins had two pass breakups – one on a short throw to Devontez Walker and another on a slant. No throw is easy against the sticky Wiggins, who doesn't give up much space. Tampa also tightly contested a sideline throw to Walker that fell incomplete.
