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Buffalo Bills: 3 reasons why Ed Oliver will make his first Pro Bowl in 2020

By Matthew Hodowany

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 08: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore defeats Buffalo 24-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 08: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore defeats Buffalo 24-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 24: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after making a sack during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo Bills defeated the Denver Broncos 20-3. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 24: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after making a sack during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo Bills defeated the Denver Broncos 20-3. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

Exposure

The first, and potentially biggest factor, is exposure.

With the Buffalo Bills opting to not re-sign Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson, Ed Oliver will be front and center in the 2020 roster.

During the 2019 season, Oliver was only recorded to have played 556 Buffalo’s defensive snaps, or 54%. This was due large in part to the fact that Oliver was not a starter from Day One. In fact, he was used as more of a rotational piece for the first few weeks as he got acclimated to speed and strength of the NFL linemen he would be facing the rest of his career.

If Buffalo is to make a point to get Oliver more reps (which equals more production) at the defensive tackle position, they are going to have to make that known from the first day of training camp. Currently, Oliver shares the defensive tackle position with Harrison Phillips (who is coming back from injury), Vernon Butler, Quinton Jefferson, Vincent Taylor and Star Lotulelei. It is unsure who will fill the role of starting defensive tackle alongside Oliver to help block up the middle. It could be the veteran Lotulelei, one of the free agents Buffalo brought in, or Harrison Phillips makes a good case in training camp as to why he would be the guy.

The theory is that making Oliver a Day One starter alongside another proven player would see a jump in his production. Of the 556 snaps in 16 games, Oliver was only a starter for seven of them. Once Oliver is put into a position that he does not have to battle for and he can focus on the objective ahead, he will surely take another step forward in his development, earning him a Pro Bowl nod in 2020.

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