Projecting Ed Oliver's 2024 stats with Buffalo Bills

When defensive tackle Ed Oliver was drafted 9th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, there was hope that he would be their version of Aaron Donald. Drafted out of the University of Houston, Oliver was plugged into the middle of the Buffalo defense to create a pass rush in the interior while also helping stop the run. In the first four seasons of his career, Oliver was up-and-down with his consistency. However, he did not miss a game in the first three years of his career.

Last offseason, Oliver was given a four-year extension by the Bills that was worth $68 million. At the time, it was a big questionable move by Brandon Beane, seeing as how Oliver had not lived up to high expectations up to that point in his career. In the end, Beane actually did the smart move by extending Oliver when he did because at this point, Oliver’s contract is a bargain based on other contracts that were handed out to fellow defensive tackles as well as the production Oliver produced last season.

Oliver had career highs in total tackles (51) and sacks (9.5). He even recorded his first interception. Keep in mind that Oliver did not have DaQuan Jones next to him a majority of the season.

As it stands, Oliver is outplaying his contract and he will need to keep it up in 2024 and beyond. With Jones coming back to the defensive line, and DeWayne Carter starting his career in Buffalo as a rotational player, Oliver has the chance to grow in his game without having to be on the field more than he needs to.

Under new defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, Oliver will be an exciting player to watch. Babich has shown that he can develop players like Terrel Bernard and even help reach Matt Milano to First-Team All-Pro status. Oliver has the potential to earn his first Pro Bowl appearance, or even earn All-Pro honors.

Stats projections: 56 total tackles, 11 sacks, 2 forced fumbles