Edge rusher Odafe Oweh is expected to draw strong interest in free agency after the Los Angeles Chargers declined to use the franchise tag. With the San Francisco 49ers coming off a season in which they recorded a league-low 20 sacks, Oweh could emerge as a target to reinforce the defensive front.
Oweh posted 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Chargers in 2025 after being acquired from the Baltimore Ravens, where he failed to record a sack in his first five games.
Then, in the playoffs, Oweh recorded a three-sack game against the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots, further raising his stock.
The San Francisco 49ers will undoubtedly seek help to bolster a pass rush that recorded a league-low 20 sacks in 2025. The team has been linked to several free agents, underscoring the perceived sense of urgency to add edge depth this offseason.
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports named the 49ers among five ideal landing spots for Oweh, alongside the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans, and even a potential return to the Chargers.
"San Francisco finished dead last in sack rate and 30th in pressure rate last year," Pereles wrote. "An early-season ACL tear for [Nick] Bosa didn't help matters, of course, but the 49ers were in the business of looking for a complementary pass rusher across from him even before he got hurt, and his injury only exacerbated what was a clear weakness."
San Francisco invested heavily in the defensive line last offseason, spending three draft picks on the unit—including a first-rounder—and trading for veteran Bryce Huff. Still, injuries derailed the group, including ACL tears suffered by Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams.
Pereles believes Oweh would provide an immediate boost.
"Enter Oweh, who in this case wouldn't even be changing states from his previous location," Pereles added. "Oweh would instantly solidify the pass rush, which will have Bosa and several youngsters, including 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams (torn ACL), back in 2026. San Francisco has over $33 million in effective cap space."
Selected 31st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Oweh spent four-plus seasons with the Ravens before his October 2025 trade to the Chargers. In 2025, he appeared in 17 games (four starts), totaling 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, and 7.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference.
Spotrac estimates Oweh's annual value at $19.3 million, projecting a three-year, $57.97 million deal for the pass rusher.
Across five NFL seasons, Oweh has played in 79 games (27 starts), compiling 176 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, and 79 quarterback hits. He has also forced seven fumbles and recovered three.
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