2. Josh Oliver, TE, Ravens
Josh Oliver entered Saturday’s game as the odds-on favorite for the third tight end job behind Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle. And he seemingly exited the game as a near lock.
Oliver flashed this spring and summer as an athletic pass-catching tight end. An offseason trade acquisition, Oliver was firmly in the mix for a roster spot and he solidified his case on Saturday.
The 2019 third-round pick hauled in four catches for 22 yards and was a favorite of Ravens’ quarterbacks on underneath routes.
Perhaps even more importantly, he more than held his own as a blocker — something the coaching staff was eager to see when the pads came on.
While he may never be Nick Boyle in the run game, Oliver has shown improvements as a blocker and, when coupled with his high ceiling as a pass-catcher, should make the Ravens’ decision very easy this month.
Josh Oliver is making the final roster. Any remaining doubt was officially put to rest on Saturday.
Combine that with the recent releases of both Jacob Breeland and Eli Wolf and it seems clear that the Ravens are narrowing their options at tight end.
Eric Tomlinson doesn’t pose a threat. Neither do fifth-round pick Ben Mason or undrafted rookie Tony Poljan. The job is Oliver’s to lose.
And, barring injury, he isn’t going to lose it over the next two weeks.