Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Mon 10/9/23 3:39 PM

Oliver had one reception for 15 yards on two targets but lost a fumble on Minnesota's opening possession in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver lost the fumble on a reception which set up the Chiefs with good field position early in the first quarter, leading to a Kansas City touchdown. Oliver is a strong blocking tight end who doesn't get many targets, and losing a fumble won't help his case for more opportunities as a receiver.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Mon 9/25/23 4:26 PM

Oliver had two receptions for four yards, including a four-yard touchdown, in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end as he went out on a route on just 8 of 27 snaps on offense. He could be an occasional option in the red zone, but it was just his third touchdown reception in 38 career games.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Mon 9/11/23 2:23 PM

Oliver had three receptions on three targets in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver started at tight end opposite T.J. Hockenson as the Vikings opened in a two-TE set. Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end in the offense, but did go out for a pass on 13 of his 30 snaps on offense. He played on 30 of the offense's 64 snaps. He won't generate enough targets for viable fantasy value in most leagues, but could be a factor should Hockenson get hurt.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Thu 6/22/23 5:19 PM

Oliver is expected to be a factor in the Vikings' red-zone offense, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis.
EDGE Analysis
Signed to a surprising three-year, $21 million in free agency after spending the last two seasons buried in Baltimore's run-heavy offense, Oliver has been a pleasant surprise in offseason workouts, per Lewis. Vikings OC Wes Phillips said that Oliver could do more through the air than most realized, and that he's built like a "rhinoceros" in the open field. Oliver is unlikely to see consistent targets as long as T.J. Hockenson is healthy, but it sounds like Minnesota has plans for Oliver in multiple-tight end sets, particularly in the scoring area.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Mon 3/13/23 3:06 PM

Oliver and the Vikings reached agreement Monday on a three-year, $21 million contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
A 2019 third-round pick, Oliver played only four games for his original team (Jacksonville) in two seasons but then developed into a solid backup tight end for Baltimore in 2021 and 2022. He's caught only 26 passes in 35 career games, and while he should see a few more targets in Minnesota, there's not much fantasy upside so long as T.J. Hockenson stays healthy. This move strongly suggests fellow free agent Irv Smith will sign elsewhere rather than sticking with the Vikings.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Tue 1/17/23 11:27 AM

Oliver caught 14 of 25 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver saw a role increase in his second year with Baltimore as he played nearly 500 snaps and recorded his first season with double-digit receptions despite the team bringing in two tight ends in the fourth round of the draft. Rookie Charlie Kolar being injured for much of the season helped Oliver carve out a bigger role, and he established himself as a useful blocker in Baltimore's run-heavy scheme. He's due to hit free agency this offseason and with Mark Andrews already in the fold along with Baltimore's investments at tight end in the draft, it's possible he will be playing elsewhere in 2023.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Thu 1/12/23 11:15 AM

Oliver played 32 of the Ravens' 75 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-16 loss to the Bengals and failed to corral his lone target.
EDGE Analysis
Though the Ravens played the regular-season finale without top tight end Mark Andrews -- who sat out for rest purposes -- Oliver wasn't a major beneficiary. Oliver's 43 percent snap share actually took a step back from his 60 percent mark against the Steelers one week earlier, as Isaiah Likely (88 percent, 8-103-0 receiving line on 13 targets) and Charlie Kolar (44 percent, 4-49-0 on six targets) instead took advantage of Andrews' absence. Because the Ravens value Oliver's blocking skills and ability to contribute on special teams, he's still likely to be active for Sunday's rematch with the Bengals in the wild-card round.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Wed 12/14/22 1:32 PM

Oliver played 42 of the Ravens' 61 snaps on offense and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 16-14 win over the Steelers.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver turned some heads when he recorded four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' Week 12 loss to the Jaguars, but the absence of No. 2 tight end Isaiah Likely for that contest played a major role in Oliver's breakthrough performance. With both Mark Andrews and Likely available for the Ravens' subsequent two contests, Oliver has faded almost exclusively into a blocking role when he's taken the field. He's played 66 combined snaps on offense over the past two weeks and hasn't been targeted once.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Sun 11/27/22 11:23 PM

Oliver recorded four receptions on six targets for 76 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Jaguars.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver stepped into an expanded role with Isaiah Likely (ankle) sidelined, and he excelled with the opportunity. He tied for the team lead in receptions and led in receiving yards. Oliver's performance was highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown catch that came late in the fourth quarter, though he also caught a 40-yard pass from Lamar Jackson early in the third quarter. Although Oliver entered Sunday's game with only seven receptions, the Ravens have been in need of pass-catching options much of the season, so if Likely remains out Oliver could maintain his expanded role.

Josh Oliver
TE MIN (6)
Sun 11/27/22 11:07 AM

Oliver is expected to serve as the Ravens' No. 2 tight end behind starter Mark Andrews in Sunday's game against the Jaguars with Isaiah Likely (ankle) ruled out for the contest, Ryan Mink of Baltimore's official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baltimore also has Nick Boyle and Charlie Kolar available as options at tight end, but the former serves mainly as a special-teams contributor and blocker on offense, while the latter has yet to make his NFL debut. Oliver, meanwhile, has already held a steady role on offense all season, even on the occasions both Andrews and Likely have been available. He's played no fewer than 30 percent of the offensive snaps in any of Baltimore's 10 games to date and has drawn at least one target in each of the past six contests.