A sleeper no more Youth Mark Ingram Jersey , this tight end could prove to be the best one out of a deep and talented class."Oliver was originally recruited to San Jose State as a DE/LB when coming from Paso Robles High School in California. He was moved to tight end during his freshman year due to some injuries the team suffered at the position, and actually started four games there. After a combined 7 receptions for 62 yards and two scores over his first two years, Oliver became a much bigger part of the Spartans offense in 2017, catching 35 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown. He was dominant in 2018, hauling in 56 receptions for 709 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning 1st team All-Mountain West honors in the process. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsOliver has shot up draft boards since the end of the college season, even being projected by some as a second day pick. He stood out in one on one match ups at the Senior Bowl, then displayed impressive athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. His 4.63 40-yd. dash was third among participating tight ends, and his 22 reps in the bench press (at 225-lbs.) were second most at the position. Oliver's 34inch vertical jump, 117 inch broad jump, and 12.01 second 60-yd. shuttle also ranked among the top ten of all tight end participants. Nfl.com comparison:Vance McDonald (Steelers)Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY SportsJosh Oliver is a prototypical receiving tight end for NFL standards; an athletic mismatch for most linebackers and a size advantage over many defensive backs. He can threaten defenses on short and intermediate routes, as well as getting deep down the seam. He has good understanding of the route tree Mark Ingram Jersey Stitched , and is accustomed to being the primary focus of defensive coverages. Oliver accelerates out of his breaks extremely well to gain separation, and tracks the ball well in mid-air. He has very good body control, and quick hands to adjust to off target throws. Oliver is composed in traffic, and maintains concentration to come down with contested throws. He is a dangerous open field runner, turning short passes into big gains and absorbs contact well, fighting through tacklers for extra yardage. Oliver may struggle a bit as an in-line tight end to begin his professional career. He can be a bit slow to get into his routes off the line of scrimmage, getting caught up in extra traffic or with press coverage. He shows effort as a blocker, but has inconsistent footwork and technique. Photo by Loren Orr/Getty ImagesJosh Oliver was popular among coaches and teammates for his tireless work ethic in college, which combined with his natural athletic ability gives him a tremendous upside. He will most likely best be utilized initially as a pure receiver, mostly from the slot or in obvious passing situations, until he improves his technique as a blocker and an in-line receiver. His natural skills, work habits and consistent improvement in college suggests that he can become an every down tight end sooner rather than later however. Oliver's meteoric rise up the draft charts Youth Marcus Davenport Jersey , even in a deep class of tight ends, is reflective of his incredible receiving ability and desire to be a success. NEW ORLEANS (10-1) at DALLAS (6-5)Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE 鈥?Saints by 7RECORD VS. SPREAD 鈥?Saints 9-2, Cowboys 6-5SERIES RECORD 鈥?Cowboys lead 16-12LAST MEETING 鈥?Saints 26 beat Cowboys 20, OT, Oct. 4, 2015LAST WEEK 鈥?Saints beat Falcons 31-17; Cowboys beat Redskins 31-23AP PRO32 RANKING 鈥?Saints No. 1; Cowboys No. 12SAINTS OFFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (5), RUSH (6), PASS (6)SAINTS DEFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (15), RUSH (1), PASS (30)COWBOYS OFFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (25) Marcus Davenport Jersey Stitched , RUSH (5), PASS (28)COWBOYS DEFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (8), RUSH (T4), PASS (12)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES 鈥?Saints can clinch NFC South title with win and Carolina loss Sunday at Tampa Bay. ... Cowboys trying to maintain at least tie for NFC East lead. ... With win, Saints can perfectly match Cowboys from two years ago with 11 straight victories following season-opening loss. Dallas set franchise record with its run in 2016. New Orleans opened Super Bowl-winning 2009 season with 13 straight victories before home loss to Cowboys started three-game skid. ... Saints have won nine of past 11 in series after losing 14 of first 17. ... Saints lead NFL in points per game (37.2) and differential (plus-153). Cowboys fourth in points allowed (19.3). ... Saints QB Drew Brees seeks fifth straight game with at least three touchdown passes and 110 passer rating. Brees leads NFL with 76.4 completion percentage, 127.3 rating. ... RB Alvin Kamara is second in NFL with 15 scrimmage TDs. Since 2017, Kamara (28) and Mark Ingram (17) are only NFC pair with 15 or more scrimmage TDs. ... WR Michael Thomas second in NFL with 86 catches, fourth with 1,080 yards receiving. ... TE Dan Arnold, rookie WR Keith Kirkwood each had first career TD catch last week. ... DE Cameron Jordan had two sacks last week, giving him team-leading eight. He's key part of league's No. 1 rushing defense trying to slow Dallas RB Ezekiel Elliott Youth Tre'Quan Smith Jersey , who has three straight games with at least 120 yards rushing. ... Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw for season-high 289 yards last week. Prescott leads NFL QBs with seven games with at least two TDs passing, one TD rushing since entering league in 2016. He has rushing TD in career-best three straight games. ... Elliott can tie career best with fourth straight 100-yard rushing game. He overtook Todd Gurley for NFL lead last week (1,074 yards rushing to 1,043) while Rams had bye. Elliott has 18 100-yard games since joining league in 2016; no other player has more than 12. He's averaging 161 scrimmage yards with four TDs in past four games. ... WRs Amari Cooper, Allen Hurns each had 100-yard game in only previous meeting with Saints with other teams. Cooper had six catches, 137 yards with Oakland in 2016, Hurns eight catches for 107 yards with Jacksonville in 2015. ... Cooper's 90-yard touchdown against Redskins tied for third-longest catch in club history. ... DE DeMarcus Lawrence had first career interception last week. He has at least half-sack in three of past four games following three-game sackless streak. ... LB Jaylon Smith needs five tackles for first 100-tackle season, according to coaches' count. ... Fantasy tip: Brees averaging 384 yards passing with 11 TDs, 1 INT in past four games against Cowboys.
