Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 pounds
School: Colorado Buffaloes
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.50 seconds
Isaiah Oliver 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Over the past several years, schools such as Florida State, LSU, and Ohio State have been defensive back factories. Colorado is looking to add their name that list. While Colorado will need to string together several more excellent cornerback draft classes, they are well on their way. Chidobe Awuzie, Jimmy Smith, and Ahkello Witherspoon all have had success or shown huge potential in the NFL. Isaiah Oliver appears to be next in line.
Oliver’s father, Muhammad Oliver, was both an NFL cornerback and a decathlete. The apple did not far from the tree with his son. In his true freshman year, Oliver played in all 13 of Colorado’s games. That same year, he competed in track and field as a decathlete. While he was blocked at the position by Witherspoon and Awuzie, he still managed to find his way onto the field. He played excellent in relief and returned punts.
In his junior year, he finally became a full-time starter for the Buffaloes. An increase in playing time saw an increase in production. Oliver finished the year with 13 pass-breakups and two interceptions, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors. Considering the Pac-12 has two of the best collegiate quarterbacks in Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold, Oliver appears more than ready for the NFL.
Strengths
- able to stay step-for-step with receivers on deep routes;
- excellent press corner;
- possesses a tall frame with long arms;
- outstanding skill defending fade routes;
- travels to cover the best opposing wide receiver;
- great ball skills.
Weaknesses
- struggles to stay with the receiver on routes in the middle of the field;
- needs to work on zone coverage;
- allows separation on curl routes when starting in press coverage;
- could improve angles taken on tackling;
- not active in defending the run.
NFL Comparison: Sean Smith
Teams With Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans
Projection: Mid-first round
Bottom Line
Oliver fits the trend of tall and long cornerbacks that have taken over the NFL. His size and athleticism make him a defensive coordinators dream. While he struggles a bit in zone coverage, he shines in press man-to-man coverage. He would be a perfect fit in any Seattle-style defense where an emphasis is put on length for cornerbacks. Oliver is an incredible athlete, and will most likely shoot up draft boards after the combine. Overall, he appears to have the skills and athleticism to play in the NFL for a long time.
