Rookie tight end Josh Oliver has watched the Jacksonville Jaguars struggle at the tight end position since early August. Oliver was hampered by a hamstring injury that has kept him on the sideline until last week. As last week unfolded, Oliver became a full participant at practice leading to an active status prior to the Cincinnati Bengals game on Sunday. Finally, he was able to get on the field and doesn’t appear to have any setbacks.
However, Oliver did not cause a huge splash in Sunday’s victory over Cincinnati. Not even a ripple. He was eased back into the game a bit and logged a surprising 25 of 82 offensive snaps. Unfortunately, the biggest number on his stat line was zero, as in the number of targets. But Jaguars fans need not worry. Oliver will be set free in London against the divisional rival Houston Texans.
Jaguars Prepping Rookie Oliver
Week 8 Expectations
This could be the week Jaguars fans start to smile a bit about the tight end position. With the New York Jets hobbling into TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville on Sunday, chances are Oliver’s role will expand. If he is able to perform at a high level this week in practice, look for him to find some targets on Sunday.
Look for offensive coordinator John DeFilippo to create a handful of plays to get Oliver the ball. Nothing too fancy. Keep it simple with some out routes or crossing routes. Although it would be nice to see Oliver try and stretch the defense down the seam. Certainly something the Jaguars have not seen in a while. There must be something in Coach Flip’s playbook to showcase his talents. Stay patient Jaguars fans. That will have to wait until the game in London.
Oliver’s Talents and Shortcomings
He is not the bruising tight end that many fans have grown accustomed to in Jacksonville. Oliver is more finesse and speed. During the offseason workouts, he displayed his remarkable catch radius and ability to make acrobatic plays. While at San Jose State, Oliver was the lone weapon on an abysmal team. His ability to find open spots in a zone defense, and to turn short passes into first downs caught the eye of scouts.
But this is the NFL, and a tight end has to be able to block, right? Reports out of training camp were that he was working diligently on this aspect of the game. This will be the biggest hurdle for Oliver to overcome during his transition to the NFL. Coaches and fans need to be patient with him, but that does not mean he can’t be unleashed down the field.
Last Word on Josh Oliver
With a frustrating injury in his rearview mirror, the rookie tight end is in position to make an impact. As long as he shows progression, his number of snaps and targets per game will only increase beginning Sunday against the Jets. Look for Oliver to be a contributing part of the offense when the Jaguars take on Houston in London in two weeks. He will become the weapon at tight end the Jaguars have missed through the first half of the season. Thus enabling the playbook to be open even wider as Jacksonville pushes for the AFC South crown.
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