The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering the 2019 campaign with a very thin receiving corps, which makes the role of rookie tight end Josh Oliver all the more critical.
The good news is that Oliver seems to be connecting well with quarterback Nick Foles thus far, with John Oehser of the Jaguars' official team website reporting that Oliver has shown a “good rapport” with Foles this offseason.
“I definitely feel comfortable in this offense,” Oliver said. “That’s always a good start.”
Oliver, whom the Jaguars selected in the third round of the NFL Draft in April, is coming off of a senior campaign at San Jose State in which he hauled in 56 receptions for 709 yards and four touchdowns.
Jacksonville offensive coordinator John DeFilippo likes what he has seen (and not heard) from Oliver:
“We like staying in base personnel to keep the base defense on the field and have that position do a lot of jobs,” DeFilippo said. “He’s learning. He’s doing a great job, and he’s seen and not heard, which is what you want out of a rookie in terms of keeping his head in the playbook and doing what he needs to do on the field.”
The 22-year-old ran 4.63-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, the third-best mark among tight ends, so Oliver definitely has NFL athleticism, and at 6-foot-5 and about 250 pounds, he also has great size for the tight end position.
“I just came in with the mentality of getting better at everything – whatever I’m doing,” Oliver said. “The coaches have done a hell of a job of getting me revved up in the blocking game, and just critiquing little things and helping me come along.”
The Jaguars won just five games in 2018.
Follow Us
Subscribe