Is this finally the year that Ed Oliver breakouts with the Buffalo Bills?
There is no question that there was a great deal of excitement when the Buffalo Bills drafted Ed Oliver in the Top 10 in the 2019 NFL Draft. He began immediately to draw comparisons to Aaron Donald because of his athleticism and skill set.
After two seasons, it was clear it was unfair to compare Oliver to Aaron Donald because the Rams defensive tackle is in a tier all by himself. It is likely to never be another Aaron Donald in the NFL.
As for Oliver, the first two seasons have certainly been disappointing but this season there are certain circumstances that should give fans some hope that they will finally get to see that breakout season from the Top 10 pick.
Profile
Position: Defensive Tackle
Age: 23
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 287 pounds
Years of Experience: 3
2020 Stats
Last year, Ed Oliver started all 16 games and finished with 33 total tackles, six QB hits, three sacks, and three passes defended.
Expectations for the 2021 season with the Buffalo Bills
The question is if this is the year that Ed Oliver finally breaks out? There is plenty of factors working in his favor for that to happen.
The first is the return of Star Lotulelei, who returns as the team’s one tech defensive tackle. Last year, Oliver replaced Lotulelei in this role after Lotulelei opted out due to the pandemic. This is an important role but is not one that normally generates a lot of stats.
More importantly, it doesn’t allow Oliver to maximize what he does best and that is to penetrate and get after the quarterback.
The other reason this could be a big season for Ed Oliver is the improvements at the defensive end position. If players like Jerry Hughes, A.J. Epenesa, and Greg Rousseau can get more pressure on the edge, it should force quarterbacks up into the pocket and right into Ed Oliver.
The pressure will certainly be on Ed Oliver to have a big season in 2021 but he is in a great position to do just that with the Buffalo Bills.