Branden Oliver (1 Viewer)

[Gr00vus]

Chargers just signed Ronnie Brown...

Not a good sign for Donald. Good news for Oliver owners though.

 

[PhantomJB]

With regard to the "Woodhead role," I don't have the data handy on my phone, but Woodhead's role was diminished in the second half last year when Mathews took over as the feature RB. Woodhead's end of year ranking was higher than his value down the stretch. Just a data point for consideration.

Woodhead is no 'Shake & Bake' Oliver as he was no Sproles. Rivers will utilize Shake & Bake the way he used Sproles. Just watching him this week dump off some passes to Oliver while under duress tells me he knows where Oliver is at all times.

Agreed. Rivers is a master at hitting backs in stride whether on dump-offs, flares or slants. And Oliver was right where Rivers expected him to be each time. There's a ton of potential here.

 

[Andrew74]

Chargers just signed Ronnie Brown...

He still plays?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

You watch a performance like that and you wonder why this guy was on the bench the whole time.

It took all of Mathews, Brown and Woodhead all getting hurt for him to get his shot.

It was the Jets in a total destruction, but still a great effort, and it looked like a natural fit for Rivers. Sproles was a huge help to Brees these last few years, just constantly kept the chain moving with his receptions and occasionally his running.

 

[Reegus]

I'm thinking about offering Cruz/Martin for the SD backfield... Can't decide

 

[Milkman]

Using a #1 WW priority on him. I wasn't going to do it but you guys talked me into it.

 

[C-Bound]

I had the #2 waiver last night and #1 went for Kendall Wright who I dropped last week. Cool story bro indeed!

 

[bcat01]

Went for $50 out of $100 in Blind Bid.

 

[rjv]

This kid at the very least will be in the Woodhead role which in ppr a RB2 even when Mathews returns.

 

[Leonidas]

For anybody interested in following his selling price: I bought him for 51.3% of FAAB (I'm the Mathews owner). Next two bids were 38.8% and 36.5%. ($1,000 initial budget, I only had $516 left and blew the wad spending $513). My team is #4 in points but only 2-3, 12 team standard league, must start 1 RB can start 2-3, my RB's were Bush, Mathews, Sproles, Crowell, Randle.

 

[Shutout]

For anybody interested in following his selling price: I bought him for 51.3% of FAAB (I'm the Mathews owner). Next two bids were 38.8% and 36.5%. ($1,000 initial budget, I only had $516 left and blew the wad spending $513). My team is #4 in points but only 2-3, 12 team standard league, must start 1 RB can start 2-3, my RB's were Bush, Mathews, Sproles, Crowell, Randle.

Thanks for the info.

Hopefully others will report to in order to give traders an idea of value.

Thanks.

 

[Shutout]

With regard to the "Woodhead role," I don't have the data handy on my phone, but Woodhead's role was diminished in the second half last year when Mathews took over as the feature RB. Woodhead's end of year ranking was higher than his value down the stretch. Just a data point for consideration.

Woodhead is no 'Shake & Bake' Oliver as he was no Sproles. Rivers will utilize Shake & Bake the way he used Sproles. Just watching him this week dump off some passes to Oliver while under duress tells me he knows where Oliver is at all times.

Agreed. Rivers is a master at hitting backs in stride whether on dump-offs, flares or slants. And Oliver was right where Rivers expected him to be each time. There's a ton of potential here.

FWIW , Rivers always said that when they let Sproles go it was a huge mistake because it was an entire element of their game that they couldn't run anymore.

May not be relevant now because of new coaching but Rivers at least has a sense of the value of a player like that.

 

[MCguidance]

Is he that Sproles-like? I think he's got that size element but is not as shifty (not saying he's not shifty at all, but in comparison, he's less so). He also has more power and can run inside a bit more. So it seems like a good fit for this offense. I imagine he might be able to fill a 3 down back role since he's bulkier.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

I got him for $5 a couple weeks ago.

 

[rjv]

I got him for $5 a couple weeks ago.

Took him after waivers ran which shocked me. Paid $0 for him

 

[GreenBaySnackers]

Waivers go through in an hour. I've got a 60% claim pending, which is all I have left.

 

[DocHolliday]

I got Oliver off waivers last night. Oliver was my first choice. Andre Williams was second. Someone earlier on the waiver list snagged Williams so things worked out well. Oliver = Williams in value right now IMO. Value later depends on when Jennings and Mathews return.

 

[rjv]

I got Oliver off waivers last night. Oliver was my first choice. Andre Williams was second. Someone earlier on the waiver list snagged Williams so things worked out well. Oliver = Williams in value right now IMO. Value later depends on when Jennings and Mathews return.

I keep saying this but even when Mathews returns Oliver will have a lot of value. Woodhead role fits Oliver perfect and that equals RB2 in ppr all day.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

Got him - had to pay a ton though 75% of my FAAB - next closest bid was 42% but that is all that owner had remainning.

In for the ride.

 

[OU#1]

Matthews owner here, picked him up last night. For reference, he was the #3 player behind Williams and Hillman.

 

[cpd90]

Got him - had to pay a ton though 75% of my FAAB - next closest bid was 42% but that is all that owner had remainning.

In for the ride.

I put up the same (not a Mathews owner)...next closest was 30 so I went a bit overboard, I think, above Hillman and Williams, he's got the potential to have long-term value. I'm not a fan of Hillman at all, and Williams is likely to be TD dependent (I think the 2 catches were an aberration -- all we've heard is the guy can't play in pass situations) and should be, at least in PPR, a non-factor when Jennings returns. Oliver should slide into a Woodhead type role when Mathews returns, and if he continues to show promise, will likely have the best value heading into next season (keeper league).

 

[mikel0254]

Matthews owner here, picked him up last night. For reference, he was the #3 player behind Williams and Hillman.

I have those ranked Oliver, Williams, then Hillman. Williams could be better this week (and maybe Hillman as he'll be given the first shot), but Oliver should be good this week, next, and have a major role when Mathews comes back. I don't think you can say the same about Williams when Jennings comes back. And Hillman could take a backseat to Anderson at halftime next week...complete questions mark IMO

 

[Jeremy]

This guy can't possibly be as good as he looks. I just don't get that lucky. I have to assume the warts will become visable soon enough. Man, did he look good, though.

 

[Milkman]

Picked him up with last night. The possibility of being used in the Woodhead role after Matthews comes back was the deciding factor for me. It was close though. I almost didn't put a claim in for him but it's starting to get later in the season and there might not be a better option this year.

 

[Shutout]

Its kind of been mentioned, I'm sure, but another thing going in his favor, I would think, is that they resigned Ronnie Brown. I think it says something that Donald Brown either isn't going to be ready, is not in the plans, and/or the coaches don't have much faith in him AND, by signing Ronnie Brown, a guy they didn't bother to keep, suggests to me that they like what they see in Oliver; not just for a stop-gap for a few weeks but for the duration.

Otherwise, I think they would have, at a minimum, brought in a couple of different guys and worked them out to see if they could find better.

Thanks for posting your paying prices, everyone. Really helps get a picture of how people are valuing.

 

[JFS171]

On board after waivers this morning. That particular team is in desperation mode after being 1-4, and I chose Oliver over Andre Williams despite it being a standard league primarily for the Oakland matchup this week. Yes, that's short-sighted potentially, but dropping to 1-5 likely ends the season. CSB.

Here's to hoping the hype train is justified, and I can pile in one of the box cars hobo style.

 

[mikel0254]

Its kind of been mentioned, I'm sure, but another thing going in his favor, I would think, is that they resigned Ronnie Brown. I think it says something that Donald Brown either isn't going to be ready, is not in the plans, and/or the coaches don't have much faith in him AND, by signing Ronnie Brown, a guy they didn't bother to keep, suggests to me that they like what they see in Oliver; not just for a stop-gap for a few weeks but for the duration.

Otherwise, I think they would have, at a minimum, brought in a couple of different guys and worked them out to see if they could find better.

Thanks for posting your paying prices, everyone. Really helps get a picture of how people are valuing.

I'm going all in. I don't want to miss out on this guy by being cheap. In a year with so little RB depth, he could be a starter on a lot of teams (mine included) for the foreseeable future. Hard to justify being cheap with blind bid $$'s on that upside. I can't imagine another week for the rest of the season where there will be so many possible upside targets on the waiver wire. Spend liberally now and you're bound to land one of those guys who has the chance to make a big difference later.

 

[NREC34]

Somehow I got Oliver for 28%. I definitely was surprised to wake up and find out I got him. I have no faab left though so I hope he works out.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Chargers just signed Ronnie Brown...

He still plays?

He was with the Chargers last season, and started this season with the Texans before being released. Now whether you want to say he "plays" is another question.

As has been mentioned this is a good thing for Oliver as it likely means the team doesn't expect Donald Brown to play, and Ronnie is not much of a threat to Oliver's playing time. He was likely signed because he knows the system so they could throw him out there in a pinch.

 

[AuttieFootball]

I got Oliver for 45%. Pretty much knew I overpaid but I wanted to price out my most likely competitors. I think he's going to end up being one of the fantasy breakout players this year. Love his role in this offense going forward.

 

[packersfan]

Chargers just signed Ronnie Brown...

He still plays?

He was with the Chargers last season, and started this season with the Texans before being released. Now whether you want to say he "plays" is another question.

As has been mentioned this is a good thing for Oliver as it likely means the team doesn't expect Donald Brown to play, and Ronnie is not much of a threat to Oliver's playing time. He was likely signed because he knows the system so they could throw him out there in a pinch.

Not sure that's entirely true. Brown is very good on third downs. Decent receiver but excels in pass pro. That was a big reason why he played ahead of Mathews on passing downs last year when Woodhead wasn't on the field. Long-term I wouldn't expect Brown to be a major factor here (he could very well be released when Mathews comes back) but the coaching knows him and trusts him. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get in on passing situations this week.

 

[tombonneau]

I picked him up last week and might go all-in with him as my flex. I currently have Bell/Gio as RB/Flex. I'm getting people asking about Oliver, but I'd just as soon trade Gio to upgrade a major position and roll with Oliver as flex. Wouldn't mind seeing one more week before pulling the trigger on that move though.

 

[Gr00vus]

Is he that Sproles-like? I think he's got that size element but is not as shifty (not saying he's not shifty at all, but in comparison, he's less so). He also has more power and can run inside a bit more. So it seems like a good fit for this offense. I imagine he might be able to fill a 3 down back role since he's bulkier.

He's not Sproles part II. He's less agile but much more powerful and tougher to bring down. He doesn't have Sproles's top end speed (but he's fast enough to break big runs). He isn't as slippery through the line, he doesn't have the same lateral quickness. As I said earlier I don't think his hands are that great at this point either - o.k. to do the job most of the time, but he's had some easy drops too.

 

[Phenomena]

I picked him up last week and might go all-in with him as my flex. I currently have Bell/Gio as RB/Flex. I'm getting people asking about Oliver, but I'd just as soon trade Gio to upgrade a major position and roll with Oliver as flex. Wouldn't mind seeing one more week before pulling the trigger on that move though.

You're gonna trade one of the handful of legit feature backs that is actually performing well this year, for an unproven guy who is leading the 32nd ranked rushing attack? Good luck with that one, boss.

 

[GreenBaySnackers]

Got him. Had to dump $608 of my remaining $627 ($1,000 annual budget). Here's the report for those interested:

Branden Oliver-

608

502

348

209

JuWan Thompson-

5

3

2

*Forgot to mention, this is for dynasty.

 

[Plorfu]

I used my overall #1 priority on him. I have Williams rostered already because I have Jennings, so there was no real choice to be made. I also figured Hillman would be claimed and CJ Anderson forgotten, and I was right, so I picked Anderson up, as well. Throwing in that last bit in case you're deciding between Oliver and a Denver RB.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Is he that Sproles-like? I think he's got that size element but is not as shifty (not saying he's not shifty at all, but in comparison, he's less so). He also has more power and can run inside a bit more. So it seems like a good fit for this offense. I imagine he might be able to fill a 3 down back role since he's bulkier.

I haven't really compared him to Sproles and I'm not sure how accurate the comparison is. I know everyone thinks Sproles because he's short and used to play in SD, but I really look at him more like an MJD type. Sproles has gamebreaker speed if he gets the ball in space....that's his bread-and-butter. Bo is a bowling ball who runs very low between the tackles and has a knack for delivering some punishment...just a tough, hard-working player who's tough to bring down. We saw what can happen if he gets in space this past week...he can take it for big gains but rarely is he going to run away from defenders. He didn't routinely break off monster touchdown runs against even MAC opposition...at least not at the clip I'd personally expect for a guy to be considered a big-play threat at the NFL level. He was always a rock-solid, workhorse guy though. 30 carries? No problem. Capable of playing every down at the NFL level, IMO....if he gets the opportunity.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Also, I just ####### love how a thread about Bo is lurking at the top of the SP. Love it.

 

[DocHolliday]

I got Oliver off waivers last night. Oliver was my first choice. Andre Williams was second. Someone earlier on the waiver list snagged Williams so things worked out well. Oliver = Williams in value right now IMO. Value later depends on when Jennings and Mathews return.

I keep saying this but even when Mathews returns Oliver will have a lot of value. Woodhead role fits Oliver perfect and that equals RB2 in ppr all day.

I hope you are correct.

I am all in. Oliver is starting at RB2 this week.

 

[Koya]

Any news or just self back patting that we picked up the latest hot thing?

 

[IgglesFan]

its getting a bit silly in here.

 

[Leonidas]

For anybody interested in following his selling price: I bought him for 51.3% of FAAB (I'm the Mathews owner). Next two bids were 38.8% and 36.5%. ($1,000 initial budget, I only had $516 left and blew the wad spending $513). My team is #4 in points but only 2-3, 12 team standard league, must start 1 RB can start 2-3, my RB's were Bush, Mathews, Sproles, Crowell, Randle.

In my other FAAB league Oliver went for 45%, the next two bids were 35% and 20% (12 team standard redraft)

Edit: And the guy who bid 35% posted that he is regretting not going big. I only bid 6.5% in this league just for the hell of it since I already have Morris, Bradshaw, FJax, Martin, and Ingram

 

[jtd13]

Any Oliver trades go down in dynasty since the explosion? I've received a couple offers, but nothing that I moved on.

 

[Leonidas]

its getting a bit silly in here.

Says the guy who thinks Oliver scored both of his TD's when SD was up 31-0, in a game they won 31-0

Um....not to rain on this glorious day for a parade, but.....

Wasn't his performance yesterday against a tired Jets team who was down 31-0 at the time? Wouldn't a better indicator of his appeal be the Oliver had 12 carries for 34 yards over the first two games. Heck, he only gained 23 yards on 9 carries against the terrible Jaguars rush defense.

IMO, he wouldn't be someone I'd be burning an early waiver pick on, especially with his role so tenuous with other RBs returning soon from injury.

The game finished 31-0. It obviously was not 31-0 "at the time" that Oliver scored his two touchdowns.

 

[DocHolliday]

Any news or just self back patting that we picked up the latest hot thing?

We are too busy patting ourselves on the back to look for news.

Honestly, most of the posts have been pretty informative with realistic outlooks now and when Mathews returns. A lot of posters have even tried to supply auction or WW value.

 

[Restricted]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2223070-is-undrafted-rookie-branden-oliver-the-nfls-next-darren-sproles

 

[3quinox]

Here's some praise from the Raider's blog. Looks like Bo's roomie in college, Khalil Mack, is also not that surprised about his big performance. Dwight Freeney, Antonio Gates, and Khalil Mack have now all said this isn't something they didn't already know.

http://blog.sfgate.com/raiders/2014/10/07/olivers-rise-no-surprise-to-mack/

Bo's insight on the Sproles comparison is awesome, saying that he picked 43 because there were only two numbers left. He also added "I’m just trying to be me … I’m like 15 pounds heavier, physical (than Sproles).”

 

[humpback]

It's kind of funny to see teams downgrade/pass on RBs because they are too short when it's actually a benefit.

 

[skinsrule05]

In my two leagues he went for 37% and 60%. I had bid 35% in each.

 

[Leonidas]

It's kind of funny to see teams downgrade/pass on RBs because they are too short when it's actually a benefit.

lol

"Hey, where did he g....oh ####" as they disappear behind the o-lineman and then pop out somewhere else.

That low center of gravity too.