Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
Branden Oliver (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter EBF
- Start date
cstu
Footballguy
MJD: 5-6 6/8", 206, 4.39 (2.58 10 split), 36" vertical, 9-08 broad, 7.08 3 cone, 4.41 SS, 18 bench
BO: 5-6 1/2, 208, 4.62 (2.56 10 split), 33.5" vertical, 9-09 broad, 7.04 3 cone, 4.22 SS, 26 bench
He may not have MJD's top end speed, but very much the same physically otherwise.
cstu
Footballguy
Here a game against Georgia where his OL is over-matched but he still manages to make some impressive plays.
cstu
Footballguy
That's a pretty big difference in 40 time though, and you have to factor in that MJD put up those numbers at the combine while Oliver did his at their pro day.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Not sure how I missed this thread the first time through. I'm not an amateur scout kinda guy, but I do follow UB football very closely and have missed only maybe 2-3 games of Bo's college career.
I was quite surprised when he didn't get drafted, and I imagine the "slower" 40 time may have played a part. For my money, he projects as a much better NFL RB than James Starks did. Not that that's saying a ton, as Starks hasn't exactly set the league on fire, but he was much more heavily hyped out of college and I don't know why.
By all accounts, Bo was a tireless worker and a good "locker room guy". He never seemed to be much of a vocal leader in college, but more a quiet hard-working type. He's about as unflashy a player as you'll find. All of his tweets are about the Bible. From what I understand, there are absolutely no character issues whatsoever, which is a good thing for a guy trying to make it in the NFL.
On the field, he's a potential workhorse. He regularly topped 25-30 carries in a game at UB, especially recently with a younger QB at the helm. His frame can certainly withstand an NFL pounding, I have no doubt about that. He doesn't have the breakaway speed, as others have referenced, but he is a lot shiftier than people give him credit for. He's got a good burst and lateral quickness. The 2012 game against UGA that someone posted in here is a good example. He's not Barry Sanders but he can make players miss with a quick juke while running north-south. His hands are okay. He'll never be a great receiving RB in the NFL. His pass-protection always seemed to be solid, which could help him.
Bottom line, I don't know why he was passed-over and undrafted. I honestly don't know. Obviously he's in a tough spot right now and I wouldn't expect much from him in the short-term, but I think he could have some long-term value. If he gets a shot due to some injuries, he's the kinda player who could handle 25 NFL carries in a game and get you a goalline TD or two. He won't lead the NFL in rushing, but I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if he could string together a handful of 1,000+ yard seasons if he lands in the right situation in a few years. Aside from Khalil Mack, Bo is, in my mind, the top pro prospect that UB has produced in the past 15 years. I'm certainly pulling for him.
I was quite surprised when he didn't get drafted, and I imagine the "slower" 40 time may have played a part. For my money, he projects as a much better NFL RB than James Starks did. Not that that's saying a ton, as Starks hasn't exactly set the league on fire, but he was much more heavily hyped out of college and I don't know why.
By all accounts, Bo was a tireless worker and a good "locker room guy". He never seemed to be much of a vocal leader in college, but more a quiet hard-working type. He's about as unflashy a player as you'll find. All of his tweets are about the Bible. From what I understand, there are absolutely no character issues whatsoever, which is a good thing for a guy trying to make it in the NFL.
On the field, he's a potential workhorse. He regularly topped 25-30 carries in a game at UB, especially recently with a younger QB at the helm. His frame can certainly withstand an NFL pounding, I have no doubt about that. He doesn't have the breakaway speed, as others have referenced, but he is a lot shiftier than people give him credit for. He's got a good burst and lateral quickness. The 2012 game against UGA that someone posted in here is a good example. He's not Barry Sanders but he can make players miss with a quick juke while running north-south. His hands are okay. He'll never be a great receiving RB in the NFL. His pass-protection always seemed to be solid, which could help him.
Bottom line, I don't know why he was passed-over and undrafted. I honestly don't know. Obviously he's in a tough spot right now and I wouldn't expect much from him in the short-term, but I think he could have some long-term value. If he gets a shot due to some injuries, he's the kinda player who could handle 25 NFL carries in a game and get you a goalline TD or two. He won't lead the NFL in rushing, but I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if he could string together a handful of 1,000+ yard seasons if he lands in the right situation in a few years. Aside from Khalil Mack, Bo is, in my mind, the top pro prospect that UB has produced in the past 15 years. I'm certainly pulling for him.
cstu
Footballguy
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Starks was a pure freak athlete who happened to fit best at RB. He played at least 4 different positions during his redshirt freshman year at UB before settling in at RB. When you look at Starks, you don't think RB. But when you look at Bo, he looks like an NFL RB through and through.
EBF
Footballguy
I just watched this game. Out of all his carries, I think there might have been one play that was blocked well. He could've hit the hole a little faster on that one, but beyond that I'm not sure there's much more he could've done given the "holes" he had to work with. His blockers were getting blown up left and right. I don't think he showed anything at all in this game, but then again it might have taken Tomlinson in his prime to get 3+ YPC on those totes.
ConnSKINS26
Footballguy
Was surprised to see that they also kept Grice, though he showed some life last night.
EBF
Footballguy
Now it's time to march up the depth chart. Mathews and Woodhead probably aren't in danger. I'd like to see him push Donald Brown.
In all likelihood, we're not going to see too much of him. That's how it went for Sproles when he was in SD and he was a much better S/T player than Oliver. Still cool that he made a roster. Not easy to do in the NFL. I think he remains a good stash in dynasty. If the Bolts let Mathews walk in free agency and don't spend a premium pick on a RB next year then they'll have opportunities for carries. That's a lot of ifs, but this is a start.
EBF
Footballguy
Didn't see this anywhere, but apparently Grice was waived yesterday:
http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014/9/1/6093193/san-diego-chargers-waive-rb-marion-grice
Pretty clear evidence that the Bolts rate Oliver higher. Speculation that they'll sign a DL and try to put Grice on the PS. May have already happened.
http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014/9/1/6093193/san-diego-chargers-waive-rb-marion-grice
Pretty clear evidence that the Bolts rate Oliver higher. Speculation that they'll sign a DL and try to put Grice on the PS. May have already happened.
Last edited by a moderator:
ROYALWITCHEESE
Footballguy
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Watching Oliver's preseason games, the thing that impressed me the most was how hard he was to bring down. I think he made the cut over Grice because Oliver was working in kick coverage. Grice didn't seem to factor into special teams at all. Oliver also seemed to get many more targets in passing situations than Grice. Grice had better acceleration through the first level and was much more slippery than Oliver. The times Oliver got into open field he looked faster than I expected.
RhymesMcJuice
Footballguy
Oliver doesn't like to say he's Sproles and that he chose his number because it 'looked good', but what's he is.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
If you're implying he plays like Sproles, I disagree based on what I've seen from him so far. He could be good in his own way maybe, but he looks nothing like Sproles on the field except for having the same number.
JFS171
Footballguy
No discussion despite Matthews out for the next month? Pretty surprised by that.
Should be active on gamedays, may get some action. Donald Brown had a pretty good 2013, but was rather underwhelming the rest of his prior career. What's to say 2013 isn't an outlier? Oliver is still a long shot, but the long shot just got closer...
SameSongNDance
Footballguy
Decent stash in deeper leagues I imagine. I have my eye on him, S. Redd and D. Williams.
EBF
Footballguy
Brown and Woodhead will probably get most of the work. We might see Oliver for a few carries. Anything more than that would be a surprise. There's a slight chance that he'll become more involved over the next few weeks, but I have zero expectations for redraft. Remember that Mathews will be back in a month or so anyway. For Oliver it's more about making a positive impression in his limited opportunities so that he can make a case for more work when Mathews might be gone next year. Donald Brown is a serviceable player who won't get the QB killed, but that's all he is, so from that perspective he's definitely vulnerable long term.
thriftyrocker
Footballguy
Hard to keep this guy rostered in most my leagues. Seems like he needs a Woodhead injury.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
He's looked good on a few touches today. 
JFS171
Footballguy
Fire it back up... I suppose EBF should be 
I call shotgun.
Brown looked thoroughly underwhelming (at least on paper) from yesterday, though he did lose a goalline TD to a procedure penalty on the offense, and he clearly has the trust of the team given his whopping 31 carries and 6 targets. Still, he produced a combined 89 yards on 36 touches.
Two problems with that:
1) 2.0 YPC and 5.4 YPR aren't good numbers;
2) No one can handle 36 touches a week without breaking
Woodhead's likely done for the year, meaning Brown has a role etched in stone until he breaks or loses it due to poor performance. Mathews is likely out another few weeks at best.
That leaves Oliver. Giddy up, kid.
I call shotgun.
Brown looked thoroughly underwhelming (at least on paper) from yesterday, though he did lose a goalline TD to a procedure penalty on the offense, and he clearly has the trust of the team given his whopping 31 carries and 6 targets. Still, he produced a combined 89 yards on 36 touches.
Two problems with that:
1) 2.0 YPC and 5.4 YPR aren't good numbers;
2) No one can handle 36 touches a week without breaking
Woodhead's likely done for the year, meaning Brown has a role etched in stone until he breaks or loses it due to poor performance. Mathews is likely out another few weeks at best.
That leaves Oliver. Giddy up, kid.
SaintsInDome2006
Footballguy
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
EBF
Footballguy
My expectations for 2014 are minimal, but Donald Brown sucks and all the other guys are hurt. If the coaches fall out of love with Brown's 3 yards and a cloud of dust act, we could see Oliver get some more chances. They'll certainly ramp up his preparation now that he's jumped from 4th to 2nd on the depth chart in a span of two weeks.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
can he catch?
EBF
Footballguy
He caught 75 passes at Buffalo and returned kicks for San Diego in the preseason, so I would assume that his hands are pretty good.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I'd say average hands. He caught a decent number of balls at UB simply because he was on the field on pretty much every down and had a young QB near the end of his college career. He doesn't have hands of stone but I'd be extremely surprised if ended up having substantial receiving numbers.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
I dont recall if Marion Grice made it on the SD practice squad or not, but if he did, Im sure he will be activated shortly
Gr00vus
Footballguy
He did and he will. Seemed like he had more speed/quicks than Oliver in preseason. I don't know how much either guy will get as they're somewhat unknown in pass protection. The Chargers can live with 2.5 a carry as long as Rivers is functioning. That's why Brown might get most of the reps. Oliver had decent hands in preseason, apart from one drop I saw. I don't recall Grice getting many targets.
ETA: Don't forget, Mathews will likely be back in 4 weeks. For however long that lasts. None of these guys will supplant a healthy Matthews this year.
Last edited by a moderator:
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Yeah, Oliver is very relevant now. He's a Brown injury away from being a feature back in a pretty good offense.
One More Rep
Footballguy
I think Oliver is going to get the McKinnon treatment unless Brown goes down
Gopher State
Footballguy
veryOne More Rep said:
Brown is the man for the next 3 weeks
Time Kibitzer
Footballguy
Very possible, but Oliver at least isn't playing a brand new position. I think Oliver has a better chance of winning a big role than McKinnon does.One More Rep said:
SameSongNDance
Footballguy
Pretty underwhelming signing here.
I'm doing 6% - not too many sharks in my league, so I doubt anyone is going after him to be honest.
chinawildman
Footballguy
Any word from SD on whether Oliver will assume more of the Woodhead "receiving back" role or used more to just relieve Brown?
BoltzNBrew
Footballguy
I got Oliver and Reaves for $5 each.ceejee said:
