Ravens acquire Safety Alohi Gilman from Chargers in Exchange for Edge Rusher Odafe Oweh
The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles chargers have completed a trade, sending safety Alohi Gilman to Baltimore and edge rusher Odafe Oweh to Los Angeles.The move addresses needs for both teams as they navigate injuries and seek to bolster their rosters.
Baltimore’s secondary has been substantially impacted by injuries, currently missing starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) – expected to be out thru their week 7 bye - and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, whose status for Sunday’s game against the Rams is uncertain. The addition of Gilman, alongside the recent practice squad signing of veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, provides the Ravens with increased flexibility in the defensive backfield. If Hamilton returns to health, Baltimore could utilize Gilman and Gardner-Johnson to allow hamilton to play closer to the line of scrimmage, aiding both the pass rush and run defense.
The Ravens have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, currently ranking near the bottom of the league with just six sacks. This has occurred despite being without a key edge rusher,as their current group of Kyle Van Noy,Tavius Robinson,Mike Green,and David Ojabo have combined for only three sacks this season.
for the Chargers, the trade aims to address a need for depth at edge rusher, notably with star Khalil Mack currently on injured reserve due to an elbow injury sustained in Week 2. While third-year player Tuli Tuipulotu has shown promise with 27 pressures, no other Chargers player has more than eight, and no other edge rusher has more than seven. Veteran Bud Dupree has not proven capable of consistently filling the void left by Mack, and rookie Kyle Kennard has not earned notable playing time.
Oweh, a young player who recorded 10 sacks in 2024, brings familiarity with the Chargers’ defensive scheme. chargers defensive coordinator Jesse minter previously worked with the Ravens from 2017-20, and the two teams utilize a similar defensive system.
The Chargers were able to acquire a productive edge rusher without sacrificing depth at safety.Baltimore had a surplus at the position,even with Derwin James Jr. frequently playing nickel and dime backer. The Chargers have Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, and now Gilman to fill safety roles, allowing for rotation and flexibility. Jefferson demonstrated effectiveness in a recent rotation, recording two passes defended and an interception in two games while James played nickel/dime backer.
