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The Green Bay Packers went back-to-back pass rushers to start Day 3—this time selecting Oklahoma State hybrid linebacker Collin Oliver with the 159th pick.
Oliver was an impactful defender for the Cowboys, totaling 23.5 sacks, 42 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. His production would have been even higher if not for a foot injury that limited him to just two games in 2024.
While Oliver is an exciting prospect, there are questions about how his game will translate to the next level. He lacks the ideal size and length to be a full-time edge rusher. However, he's an explosive player with impressive bend off the edge and will contribute on special teams. On defense, Jeff Hafley will have to figure out how to maximize his unique skill set.
Here's what prominent draft analysts had to say about Oliver during the pre-draft process:
A three-year starter at Oklahoma State, Oliver was a hybrid weakside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo's 3-3-5 base scheme, standing up as a wide edge and off-the-ball 'backer. A defensive end his first two seasons in Stillwater, he moved to linebacker in the spring of 2023, although he was at his best when allowed to rush the pocket. He led the team in sacks his first three seasons — and likely would have again in 2024, were it not for his season-ending foot injury. With his short-area burst and high energy, Oliver makes himself a fast, small target for blockers, and he plays with better force than expected for his size. Though it is easy to love his football-playing temperament, his sawed-off body can leave him tied up and overwhelmed, especially in tight quarters. Overall, Oliver is an explosive, leverage-based rusher, but he lacks the measurables for full-time edge work and is unproven dropping or playing from depth. He projects best as a nickel rusher with long-term potential as a developmental off-ball linebacker.
The right foot injury that cost Oliver all but two games in 2024 could create unsure evaluations. He's a natural edge rusher with outstanding fluidity and movement talent but lacks the size or length to project there as a three-down player. As an off-ball linebacker in 2023 he flashed the ability to handle the position, but he clearly lacked the seasoning and recognition that can only come with more reps. No matter the alignment, he needs to play with better composure and positioning to handle run reps on his terms and make more tackles. He projects as a designated pass rusher and developmental off-ball linebacker with the ability to jump into a special-teams role.
Collin Oliver is an exciting pass-rusher whose 2024 senior campaign was limited to two starts due to a foot injury. Oliver enters the draft process ranked fifth in Oklahoma State's program history with 23.5 sacks in 43 games. Oliver was dominant in his two starts this year, totaling 15 pressures, 11 hurries, and two sacks in matchups against South Dakota State and Arkansas. At full strength, he touts an extremely intriguing pass-rush profile despite concerns surrounding his size and length to compete on early downs.
Oliver is an explosive LB/EDGE hybrid whose athleticism and hands showcase a lofty performance ceiling within a front seven. He's primarily aligned at middle linebacker or on the outside shoulder (5-tech) of the offensive tackle.
Against the run, Oliver plays with good instincts and trigger, but his length and play strength are lacking. He can be washed out of the play (2023 vs. Oklahoma) if his base isn't set despite his eagerness and hunger to make plays at the line. Gets thrown around a little bit within the wash of the line of scrimmage, limiting his overall impact as a run defender. Processing and ability to ID run concepts also need improvement, as Oliver's aggressiveness can often lead him to the wrong gap. He's best in the fringe areas where his explosiveness shines. Good tackler in the open field who arrives at contact with pop behind his pads. Improvement in stacking/shedding blockers also has room for improvement at this point in time. Ultimately, it will help in his ability to locate and pursue without having to guess by attacking a shoulder and then potentially having to retrace his steps once he's around the opposition.
As a pass rusher, Oliver's tools and traits pop off the page. He's a dynamic edge threat with an extremely intriguing ceiling as a sack artist. He can be classified as more of an athlete off the edge who wins with traits rather than as a technician, but Oliver has flashed the skill set to disrupt the pocket consistently. Will rush from a variety of locations, and is a nightmare to counter if working against less athletic opponents. Showcases an excellent hesitation move, where Oliver will explode off the snap, stop his feet, and re-accelerate in a flash to the pocket—a move that can often throw less fleet-of-foot tackles off-balance. Oliver has the get-off and bend to consistently force tackles deep into their set, and evolving his game to the inside shoulder will only diversify his portfolio at the position. Rarely attempts to win with power, but is a player whose speed and twitch are enough to be classified as traits that will allow Oliver to consistently challenge for pressures.
Concerns remain about his length and play strength, which show up both on run and passing downs. Continuing to build mass will assist Oliver in sealing the edge, taking on blocks, and in his ability to continue to push the pocket if tackles jump set and stop his momentum early in a rep. Oliver's burst and explosiveness present a tall task for linemen to counter, but more experienced and patient tackles will invite Oliver into contact at full speed due to his lack of mass and ability to engage/shed.
Overall, Oliver projects as a potential three-down, hybrid defender whose ceiling could lie at edge rusher. His athletic profile, production (23.5 sacks in three seasons), and potential will intrigue teams in need of a jolt within the front seven.
Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Collin Oliver is a tweener talent with the rush upside to warrant consideration later in the draft. Thanks to an explosive first step and good general instincts rushing the pocket, his NFL team will have a chance to go after lightning in a bottle.
Oliver boasts impressive cornering ability but comes at the cost of prototypical size. He's an undersized rusher who will struggle to find a full-time role in one position or another. Oklahoma State managed to find ways to implement him on and off the ball. Still, either opportunity will pose challenges when he's not rushing the quarterback by way of run processing or matching up in pass coverage.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: What draft experts said about new Packers edge rusher Collin Oliver
Continue reading...
Oliver was an impactful defender for the Cowboys, totaling 23.5 sacks, 42 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. His production would have been even higher if not for a foot injury that limited him to just two games in 2024.
While Oliver is an exciting prospect, there are questions about how his game will translate to the next level. He lacks the ideal size and length to be a full-time edge rusher. However, he's an explosive player with impressive bend off the edge and will contribute on special teams. On defense, Jeff Hafley will have to figure out how to maximize his unique skill set.
Here's what prominent draft analysts had to say about Oliver during the pre-draft process:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide)
A three-year starter at Oklahoma State, Oliver was a hybrid weakside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo's 3-3-5 base scheme, standing up as a wide edge and off-the-ball 'backer. A defensive end his first two seasons in Stillwater, he moved to linebacker in the spring of 2023, although he was at his best when allowed to rush the pocket. He led the team in sacks his first three seasons — and likely would have again in 2024, were it not for his season-ending foot injury. With his short-area burst and high energy, Oliver makes himself a fast, small target for blockers, and he plays with better force than expected for his size. Though it is easy to love his football-playing temperament, his sawed-off body can leave him tied up and overwhelmed, especially in tight quarters. Overall, Oliver is an explosive, leverage-based rusher, but he lacks the measurables for full-time edge work and is unproven dropping or playing from depth. He projects best as a nickel rusher with long-term potential as a developmental off-ball linebacker.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
The right foot injury that cost Oliver all but two games in 2024 could create unsure evaluations. He's a natural edge rusher with outstanding fluidity and movement talent but lacks the size or length to project there as a three-down player. As an off-ball linebacker in 2023 he flashed the ability to handle the position, but he clearly lacked the seasoning and recognition that can only come with more reps. No matter the alignment, he needs to play with better composure and positioning to handle run reps on his terms and make more tackles. He projects as a designated pass rusher and developmental off-ball linebacker with the ability to jump into a special-teams role.
The Draft Network
Collin Oliver is an exciting pass-rusher whose 2024 senior campaign was limited to two starts due to a foot injury. Oliver enters the draft process ranked fifth in Oklahoma State's program history with 23.5 sacks in 43 games. Oliver was dominant in his two starts this year, totaling 15 pressures, 11 hurries, and two sacks in matchups against South Dakota State and Arkansas. At full strength, he touts an extremely intriguing pass-rush profile despite concerns surrounding his size and length to compete on early downs.
Oliver is an explosive LB/EDGE hybrid whose athleticism and hands showcase a lofty performance ceiling within a front seven. He's primarily aligned at middle linebacker or on the outside shoulder (5-tech) of the offensive tackle.
Against the run, Oliver plays with good instincts and trigger, but his length and play strength are lacking. He can be washed out of the play (2023 vs. Oklahoma) if his base isn't set despite his eagerness and hunger to make plays at the line. Gets thrown around a little bit within the wash of the line of scrimmage, limiting his overall impact as a run defender. Processing and ability to ID run concepts also need improvement, as Oliver's aggressiveness can often lead him to the wrong gap. He's best in the fringe areas where his explosiveness shines. Good tackler in the open field who arrives at contact with pop behind his pads. Improvement in stacking/shedding blockers also has room for improvement at this point in time. Ultimately, it will help in his ability to locate and pursue without having to guess by attacking a shoulder and then potentially having to retrace his steps once he's around the opposition.
As a pass rusher, Oliver's tools and traits pop off the page. He's a dynamic edge threat with an extremely intriguing ceiling as a sack artist. He can be classified as more of an athlete off the edge who wins with traits rather than as a technician, but Oliver has flashed the skill set to disrupt the pocket consistently. Will rush from a variety of locations, and is a nightmare to counter if working against less athletic opponents. Showcases an excellent hesitation move, where Oliver will explode off the snap, stop his feet, and re-accelerate in a flash to the pocket—a move that can often throw less fleet-of-foot tackles off-balance. Oliver has the get-off and bend to consistently force tackles deep into their set, and evolving his game to the inside shoulder will only diversify his portfolio at the position. Rarely attempts to win with power, but is a player whose speed and twitch are enough to be classified as traits that will allow Oliver to consistently challenge for pressures.
Concerns remain about his length and play strength, which show up both on run and passing downs. Continuing to build mass will assist Oliver in sealing the edge, taking on blocks, and in his ability to continue to push the pocket if tackles jump set and stop his momentum early in a rep. Oliver's burst and explosiveness present a tall task for linemen to counter, but more experienced and patient tackles will invite Oliver into contact at full speed due to his lack of mass and ability to engage/shed.
Overall, Oliver projects as a potential three-down, hybrid defender whose ceiling could lie at edge rusher. His athletic profile, production (23.5 sacks in three seasons), and potential will intrigue teams in need of a jolt within the front seven.
Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team
Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Collin Oliver is a tweener talent with the rush upside to warrant consideration later in the draft. Thanks to an explosive first step and good general instincts rushing the pocket, his NFL team will have a chance to go after lightning in a bottle.
Oliver boasts impressive cornering ability but comes at the cost of prototypical size. He's an undersized rusher who will struggle to find a full-time role in one position or another. Oklahoma State managed to find ways to implement him on and off the ball. Still, either opportunity will pose challenges when he's not rushing the quarterback by way of run processing or matching up in pass coverage.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: What draft experts said about new Packers edge rusher Collin Oliver
Continue reading...
