Branden Oliver (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

I think Mathews is definitely worth adding or stashing but I'd be very surprised if this wasn't a repeat of last year's Mathews-Woodhead rotation. That worked extremely well and Oliver has certainly proven he's deserving of a similar type of role.

 

[Insein]

I think Mathews is definitely worth adding or stashing but I'd be very surprised if this wasn't a repeat of last year's Mathews-Woodhead rotation. That worked extremely well and Oliver has certainly proven he's deserving of a similar type of role.

I'd be OK with this. Would make them both worthy of playing.

 

[Tau837]

Brown is not going to hurt Oliver's numbers much. Brown is simply awful. Matthews return in a couple of weeks will drop Oliver to a flex level player.

Yeah I think what Oliver owners have to hope for coming out of the bye is for him to take on Woodhead's former role. Woodhead was a RB2 in PPR leagues last season. Oliver certainly has shown he can run with power and catch the ball (two things Woodhead also did well) so it's not unrealistic to think he can do similar things and if so he could potentially put up Woodhead-type numbers down the stretch.

Woodhead numbers down the stretch last year weren't that great, and they were worse in his first two games this year (not including game 3, since he played just one snap).

2013 (last 8 regular season games): 53/236/1 rushing and 27/214/3 receiving on 28 targets

2014 (games 1-2): 14/37/0 rushing and 5/34/0 receiving on 6 targets

That is an average of about 10 touches and 52 yards per game. I don't think Woodhead was a RB2 in those games.

Also, I doubt Oliver will get as many targets as Woodhead did, which could mean fewer receptions/touches/yards. I think it is more likely the Chargers will use Mathews more in the passing game, as they should have been doing all along IMO. And if Brown is healthy, he might still get snaps.

All in all, IMO it would be surprising if Oliver is worth starting once Mathews is back.

 

[Tau837]

I think Mathews is definitely worth adding or stashing but I'd be very surprised if this wasn't a repeat of last year's Mathews-Woodhead rotation. That worked extremely well and Oliver has certainly proven he's deserving of a similar type of role.

2013 (last 8 games):

Mathews: 167/769/5 rushing and 21/135/0 receiving on 23 targets

Woodhead: 53/236/1 rushing and 27/214/3 receiving on 28 targets

2014 (first 2 games):

Mathews: 23/74/1 rushing and 4/46/0 receiving on 4 targets

Woodhead: 14/37/0 rushing and 5/34/0 receiving on 6 targets

 

[packersfan]

Woodhead caught four passes or more in four of the final eight games last season. He had 60 total yards or more in four games and scored four touchdowns. Given what Oliver has shown as a receiver I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think he could assume Woodhead's receiving role when Mathews returns. Oliver, like Woodhead, has also shown the ability to run with power and inside the 10 so he could get scoring opportunities like Woodhead did.

It's all speculation right now obviously but I could see both Mathews and Oliver carrying at least RB3 value after the bye if both stay healthy. Depending on matchups their values could rise even more. Given what he's shown I'd be very surprised if Oliver just vanished from the offense or was given a marginal role. He looks real good and Mathews clearly has an injury history and San Diego would be smart not to overwork him

 

[Jack White]

Woodhead caught four passes or more in four of the final eight games last season. He had 60 total yards or more in four games and scored four touchdowns. Given what Oliver has shown as a receiver I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think he could assume Woodhead's receiving role when Mathews returns. Oliver, like Woodhead, has also shown the ability to run with power and inside the 10 so he could get scoring opportunities like Woodhead did.

It's all speculation right now obviously but I could see both Mathews and Oliver carrying at least RB3 value after the bye if both stay healthy. Depending on matchups their values could rise even more. Given what he's shown I'd be very surprised if Oliver just vanished from the offense or was given a marginal role. He looks real good and Mathews clearly has an injury history and San Diego would be smart not to overwork him

I agree Oliver should continue to have value.

But I'm not sure the "Woodhead Role" really applies considering there is a different system in SD this year.

 

[Tau837]

Woodhead caught four passes or more in four of the final eight games last season. He had 60 total yards or more in four games and scored four touchdowns. Given what Oliver has shown as a receiver I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think he could assume Woodhead's receiving role when Mathews returns. Oliver, like Woodhead, has also shown the ability to run with power and inside the 10 so he could get scoring opportunities like Woodhead did.

It's all speculation right now obviously but I could see both Mathews and Oliver carrying at least RB3 value after the bye if both stay healthy. Depending on matchups their values could rise even more. Given what he's shown I'd be very surprised if Oliver just vanished from the offense or was given a marginal role. He looks real good and Mathews clearly has an injury history and San Diego would be smart not to overwork him

I agree Oliver should continue to have value.

But I'm not sure the "Woodhead Role" really applies considering there is a different system in SD this year.

Why do you say there is a different system in SD this year? Based on what?

 

[packersfan]

Woodhead caught four passes or more in four of the final eight games last season. He had 60 total yards or more in four games and scored four touchdowns. Given what Oliver has shown as a receiver I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think he could assume Woodhead's receiving role when Mathews returns. Oliver, like Woodhead, has also shown the ability to run with power and inside the 10 so he could get scoring opportunities like Woodhead did.

It's all speculation right now obviously but I could see both Mathews and Oliver carrying at least RB3 value after the bye if both stay healthy. Depending on matchups their values could rise even more. Given what he's shown I'd be very surprised if Oliver just vanished from the offense or was given a marginal role. He looks real good and Mathews clearly has an injury history and San Diego would be smart not to overwork him

I agree Oliver should continue to have value.

But I'm not sure the "Woodhead Role" really applies considering there is a different system in SD this year.

They went into this season with Mathews and Woodhead the primary options at RB (Brown was in a lesser role). Woodhead is gone obviously so that leaves additional touches for someone. Could all of them go to Mathews? I would be very surprised by that given his injury history and fear of overworking him. Could he get most of them and Oliver a small amount? Possible but given how good Oliver has looked this would also surprise me.

Obviously none of us know for sure what's going to happen but I don't think it's a stretch to see Mathews be the lead RB with Oliver spelling him and handling third downs and most of the obvious passing situations. In the limited time all three RBs were healthy at the start of the season (small sample size I know) Brown's presence appeared to impact Mathews more than Woodhead so I don't see him being a huge factor unless injury strikes again.

 

[DocHolliday]

I think the one thing that most of us can agree on with the SD backfield is that Brown should get very few touches. We will have to see happens in week 10 with Mathews and Oliver. Both are good backs and should get plenty of work.

 

[RUSF18]

Are most rolling with Oliver against a solid run D in Miami (decent yardage allowed but stingy with TDs)?

 

[Swing 51]

Are most rolling with Oliver against a solid run D in Miami (decent yardage allowed but stingy with TDs)?

As I said above I am but due to bye week issues. Yeah the Phins are stingy on the ground but they have given up three RB receiving TDs and a couple +50 receiving yard games to the RB position.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Have no choice but to roll with Oliver...also have to play Sproles

 

[C-Bound]

Going with Mckinnon this week instead.

 

[MNTom]

Are most rolling with Oliver against a solid run D in Miami (decent yardage allowed but stingy with TDs)?

Either Oliver or Taliaferro. Not quite sure yet.

 

[DocHolliday]

Going with Oliver over Ivory as my RB2. My team sucks.

 

[Braktastic]

Rolling with Oliver. I figure if last week's game is as bad as it gets when he has the full workload that's good enough for me to start him this week in PPR.

 

[packersfan]

Are most rolling with Oliver against a solid run D in Miami (decent yardage allowed but stingy with TDs)?

As I said above I am but due to bye week issues. Yeah the Phins are stingy on the ground but they have given up three RB receiving TDs and a couple +50 receiving yard games to the RB position.

They've been very bad in terms of run defense in home games dating back to last year. The matchup is a much better one for Oliver than the overall numbers would make it seem.

 

[Tau837]

Woodhead caught four passes or more in four of the final eight games last season. He had 60 total yards or more in four games and scored four touchdowns. Given what Oliver has shown as a receiver I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think he could assume Woodhead's receiving role when Mathews returns. Oliver, like Woodhead, has also shown the ability to run with power and inside the 10 so he could get scoring opportunities like Woodhead did.

It's all speculation right now obviously but I could see both Mathews and Oliver carrying at least RB3 value after the bye if both stay healthy. Depending on matchups their values could rise even more. Given what he's shown I'd be very surprised if Oliver just vanished from the offense or was given a marginal role. He looks real good and Mathews clearly has an injury history and San Diego would be smart not to overwork him

I agree Oliver should continue to have value.

But I'm not sure the "Woodhead Role" really applies considering there is a different system in SD this year.

They went into this season with Mathews and Woodhead the primary options at RB (Brown was in a lesser role). Woodhead is gone obviously so that leaves additional touches for someone. Could all of them go to Mathews? I would be very surprised by that given his injury history and fear of overworking him. Could he get most of them and Oliver a small amount? Possible but given how good Oliver has looked this would also surprise me.

Obviously none of us know for sure what's going to happen but I don't think it's a stretch to see Mathews be the lead RB with Oliver spelling him and handling third downs and most of the obvious passing situations. In the limited time all three RBs were healthy at the start of the season (small sample size I know) Brown's presence appeared to impact Mathews more than Woodhead so I don't see him being a huge factor unless injury strikes again.

A big influence on the bolded is how Oliver compares to Mathews and Brown in pass protection. Brown is strong in that area and is also a solid receiver, so he could split the third down work with Oliver.

Of course, this coaching staff misused Mathews most of last season IMO, so who knows what they will do.

ETA: Per PFF, so far Oliver has had 19 pass blocking snaps and allowed 2 pressures. That's not bad, but it's a small sample size. I suspect the team will view Brown as a better pass protector. So the question becomes how do the third down duties get split given that Oliver might be a better/more dynamic third down receiving option?

 

[packersfan]

Mathews was a relative non-factor in the passing game last season when Woodhead was healthy. The big question I want to see answered is who gets those passing down snaps now? Maybe Brown gets some but he looked so bad I can't see him leapfrogging Oliver or Mathews. My guess is Oliver gets first shot at those snaps but Mathews could also factor in there too. But this coaching staff's reluctance to utilize him in that role last season is a big reason why I think Oliver could get the role after the bye. They may not want to change how they utilized Mathews, especially given how well he performed at the end of last season.

 

[Jack White]

Woodhead caught four passes or more in four of the final eight games last season. He had 60 total yards or more in four games and scored four touchdowns. Given what Oliver has shown as a receiver I don't think it's unrealistic at all to think he could assume Woodhead's receiving role when Mathews returns. Oliver, like Woodhead, has also shown the ability to run with power and inside the 10 so he could get scoring opportunities like Woodhead did.

It's all speculation right now obviously but I could see both Mathews and Oliver carrying at least RB3 value after the bye if both stay healthy. Depending on matchups their values could rise even more. Given what he's shown I'd be very surprised if Oliver just vanished from the offense or was given a marginal role. He looks real good and Mathews clearly has an injury history and San Diego would be smart not to overwork him

I agree Oliver should continue to have value.

But I'm not sure the "Woodhead Role" really applies considering there is a different system in SD this year.

Why do you say there is a different system in SD this year? Based on what?

I meant to say different offensive coordinator.

The other thing I'll add is the Woodhead is a unique player. You don't just plug another back into his position and say he's going to fill the Woodhead Role.

 

[packersfan]

Oliver looks pretty unique to me too for what it's worth.

 

[Tau837]

Woodhead is a unique player. You don't just plug another back into his position and say he's going to fill the Woodhead Role.

There is no "Woodhead role" the rest of this season. There is possibly a third down/passing situation role. That isn't exactly the same thing.

 

[packersfan]

Woodhead had 39 touches in the Red Zone last season. Seven of those resulted in touchdowns. Of those seven, five came inside the 10. I think there is absolutely a "Woodhead role" of some kind that needs to be determined and it has the potential to be a very productive one for fantasy owners.

 

[Tau837]

Mathews was a relative non-factor in the passing game last season when Woodhead was healthy. The big question I want to see answered is who gets those passing down snaps now? Maybe Brown gets some but he looked so bad I can't see him leapfrogging Oliver or Mathews. My guess is Oliver gets first shot at those snaps but Mathews could also factor in there too. But this coaching staff's reluctance to utilize him in that role last season is a big reason why I think Oliver could get the role after the bye. They may not want to change how they utilized Mathews, especially given how well he performed at the end of last season.

IMO this is a bit misleading, as the gap in their usage closed quite a bit during the second half of last season. From PFF:

Targets:

Games 1-8: Woodhead 55, Mathews 7

Games 9-16: Woodhead 28, Mathews 21

Pass routes run:

Games 1-8: Woodhead 170, Mathews 52

Games 9-16: Woodhead 149, Mathews 85

Pass blocking snaps:

Games 1-8: Woodhead 31, Mathews 9

Games 9-16: Woodhead 25, Mathews 11


Offensive snaps:

Games 1-8: Woodhead 267 (47%), Mathews 195 (35%)

Games 9-16: Woodhead 237 (41%), Mathews 285 (50%)


Mathews' usage went up in the second half of last season, including up in every measurable category relating to the passing game. And those increases came at Woodhead's expense, as his usage went down in every measurable category.

As already noted, Oliver <> Woodhead, so it will be interesting to see what the coaching staff does. I think it will be something like 60/30/10 for Mathews/Oliver/Brown.

 

[Tau837]

Woodhead had 39 touches in the Red Zone last season. Seven of those resulted in touchdowns. Of those seven, five came inside the 10. I think there is absolutely a "Woodhead role" of some kind that needs to be determined and it has the potential to be a very productive one for fantasy owners.

There is no one on the team with skills that mirror Woodhead's. There is no one else on the team who could replicate that red zone performance on the same plays. That was my point. Woodhead is a mismatch in a way that Oliver, Mathews, and Brown are not.

Also, the Chargers didn't have Floyd most of last year, and they didn't have a resurgent Gates, either. That would likely have influenced the red zone playcalling even with Woodhead healthy. And there is always the possibility the coaching staff decides to use Ladarius Green more, too... their lack of usage of him both last season and this season has been puzzling.

 

[packersfan]

I think Oliver can do many of the things Woodhead did last season. In my opinion he has an excellent opportunity to assume that role on offense coming out of the bye, assuming the Chargers elect to go with a similar RB rotation that ended up working out rather well for them last season.

For me, it boils down to a belief Oliver has shown more than enough to guarantee himself a significant role on offense when Mathews returns. I don't think he starts but I do think he can be their receiving RB and also get the type of RZ looks Woodhead received last season. He can catch the ball well and he runs with power. Those are attributes which can be maximized in the RZ in particular.

I obviously could be wrong. As I've said I'm speculating just like everyone else. And if I am I'll move on from Oliver and thank him for the significant contributions he's made. But my gut call says I'm gonna likely keep starting him in PPR and be very happy with that decision as the remainder of the season goes along.

We'll see.

 

[DocHolliday]

I am going to keep Oliver on my roster no matter what happens when Mathews first returns. Oliver has proven to be a good RB. SD will likely spell Mathews with Oliver. We are all speculating on just what that split will be. 60/40? 70/30? I am pretty sure that Brown is not going to take touches away from Mathews or Oliver.

 

[Insein]

Its either Oliver, Colston or Moncrief in the flex. I'm going with the Rb.

 

[TheFanatic]

Are most rolling with Oliver against a solid run D in Miami (decent yardage allowed but stingy with TDs)?

I finally have some depth again at RB, so I am sitting him. Ingram went last night and McKinnon is my other starter.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

I'd start Oliver over McKinnon

 

[GreenBaySnackers]

I'm putting Oliver in my flex this week over Patterson and Kelce assuming Mathews is out. Anyone have any info on Mathews?

 

[mikel0254]

I'd start Oliver over McKinnon

I'm starting McKinnon over Oliver. Oliver could be the safer play, but one of these games McKinnon is going to go nuts. I don't want him on my bench when that happens.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

LOL and Oliver has already gone nuts - see game vs Jets.

 

[BoltNlava]

I'm putting Oliver in my flex this week over Patterson and Kelce assuming Mathews is out. Anyone have any info on Mathews?

Odds are he sits again...he had a dnp thurs.

 

[mikel0254]

LOL and Oliver has already gone nuts - see game vs Jets.

FF is about predicting the future, not living in the past.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

Both McKinnon and Oliver have the same upside but Oliver is a safer play - don't see why you are leaning McKinnon but hey go right ahead.

 

[mikel0254]

Both McKinnon and Oliver have the same upside but Oliver is a safer play - don't see why you are leaning McKinnon but hey go right ahead.

We don't know what McKinnon's upside is and he's outperformed Oliver the last two weeks. I'll bet on a guy with off the chart measurables as the guy with higher upside.

 

[RUSF18]

Both McKinnon and Oliver have the same upside but Oliver is a safer play - don't see why you are leaning McKinnon but hey go right ahead.

We don't know what McKinnon's upside is and he's outperformed Oliver the last two weeks. I'll bet on a guy with off the chart measurables as the guy with higher upside.

114 yards on 6.0ypc, and 4 for 68 receiving with 2 total TDs...if you're not willing to take that as McKinnon's hypothetical best game of the year, you're greedy.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

Don't want to turn this into an oliver vs Mckinnon debate but Mckinnon is in a way worse situation - we know SD is comitted to involiving Oliver come heck or highwater.

Oliver had 10 pts for me in a horrendous matchup.

 

[Peak]

Starting Hill over Oliver this week. I like Oliver and rode with him the last few weeks. But need to go with the better matchup this week. Depending upon what happens, I may look into picking up Mathews off WW on Monday. A team dropped him weeks ago and he's been plummeting further down into our WW. Shallow bench, so storing players for injuries is frowned upon by some teams.

I'm in agreement with the others that Oliver will go into that Woodhead role once Mathews returns. With that said, Mathews has been saying for weeks that he was ready and just waiting for clearance. If he doesn't return after the bye, like most believe he will, what then? Oliver's stock should rise fairly high afterwards, right?

 

[mikel0254]

Both McKinnon and Oliver have the same upside but Oliver is a safer play - don't see why you are leaning McKinnon but hey go right ahead.

We don't know what McKinnon's upside is and he's outperformed Oliver the last two weeks. I'll bet on a guy with off the chart measurables as the guy with higher upside.

114 yards on 6.0ypc, and 4 for 68 receiving with 2 total TDs...if you're not willing to take that as McKinnon's hypothetical best game of the year, you're greedy.

I'm not being greedy. I'm just expecting this type of game to happen to McKinnon before it happens to Oliver again. That's it.

 

[mikel0254]

Don't want to turn this into an oliver vs Mckinnon debate but Mckinnon is in a way worse situation - we know SD is comitted to involiving Oliver come heck or highwater.

Oliver had 10 pts for me in a horrendous matchup.

Agreed, we'll end it here. SD is a better team but they also have a gun slinger as a QB. MIN does not and I have to imagine they are starting to realize what they have in McKinnon. I just think they will lean on McKinnon when SD will lean on Rivers.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

I'd start Oliver over McKinnon

Have the exact same situation, and I'm not sure. I think Oliver has a slightly better matchup, but the lack of TDs is a factor. McKinnon has a slightly stouter D (he's no DeMarco Murray) and Asiata will likely see more looks as the COP/3rd down back than Ronnie Brown will in the SD backfield.

This said, still thinking McKinnon has a better shot at scoring, which I think makes a difference between him and Oliver this week. Without a TD, thinking these guys put up nearly identical stats.

 

[TheFanatic]

McKinnon vs Oliver is something of a coin flip for me. What pushed it slightly in McKinnon's favor was Washington at home vs Miami on the road. Both Washington and Miami have great run D's, with Miami's being a little better and at home. I went with McKinnon.

 

[packer_junkie]

Just a gut feeling but I see a big game for Oliver sunday 16-80 7 a TD rushing 5-75 TD receiving. Just a hunch that he's gonna be back to little possessed dude with matthews coming back soon.

 

[DocHolliday]

McKinnon vs Oliver is something of a coin flip for me. What pushed it slightly in McKinnon's favor was Washington at home vs Miami on the road. Both Washington and Miami have great run D's, with Miami's being a little better and at home. I went with McKinnon.

Not sure how we ended up here but it is a solid question. Glad I am not forced to make that decision. It really would be a coin flip. I like both of their chances to get to 100 total yards and 1 TD.

 

[cvnpoka]

I'd start Oliver over McKinnon

I'm starting McKinnon over Oliver. Oliver could be the safer play, but one of these games McKinnon is going to go nuts. I don't want him on my bench when that happens.

i think you gotta go with oliver for a number of very clear reasons. he is a 3 down back, whereas mckinnon yields quite a few passing downs to asiata and doesnt catch much. mckinnon may not get goal line plays but oliver has. and lastly, the chargers offense is just a lot better and should create more scoring opportunities.

it is nice that they have been feeding mckinnon quite a lot the last few weeks.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

Just a gut feeling but I see a big game for Oliver sunday 16-80 7 a TD rushing 5-75 TD receiving. Just a hunch that he's gonna be back to little possessed dude with matthews coming back soon.

Wow! Someone has been chugging the Oliver kool aid. I hope you are right but you may want to temper your expectations. [SIZE=13.63636302948px]The Dolphins have a pretty good defense and I believe the Bolts are dealing with some oline injuries. It is noteworthy that [/SIZE]Oliver put up strong numbers vs the Jags and Raiders but his numbers have trended down with better competition.

 

[BoltNlava]

Mathews is listed as out on mfl.

 

[Leonidas]

LOL and Oliver has already gone nuts - see game vs Jets.

FF is about predicting the future, not living in the past.

That's why Peyton Manning is only started in 50% of leagues. His prior performance guarantees nothing