Collin Oliver had three seasons of outstanding production at Oklahoma State. After missing most of 2024 with a foot injury, he is healthy, athletic and ready to show what he can do.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Collin Oliver, who had an impressive start to his career at Oklahoma State that garnered high praise from his coach, was selected by the Green Bay Packers as their fifth-round draft pick on Saturday.
Oliver is set to join the team in a new role on Green Bay’s defense.
He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors, was unanimously named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, and became a Freshman All-American in 2021, leading the conference with 11.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. In 2022, he again received second-team All-Conference recognition, totaling five sacks and eight tackles for loss. By 2023, he achieved second-team All-Conference status once more, serving as a team captain and contributing six sacks, 16 tackles for loss, a conference-high four forced fumbles, and a career-best 73 tackles.
Unfortunately, his 2024 season was cut short after just two games due to a broken foot.
At 240 pounds, there are questions about whether Oliver will play as a linebacker, as his size might suggest, or as an edge rusher, where he has spent most of his time.
Packers director of football operations, Milt Hendrickson, believes Oliver could fill a specific role that the team hasn’t effectively used before: designated pass rusher.
“The niche is that he’s a really good football player,” Hendrickson stated. “If you had to label him right now, I’d suggest a situational pass rusher.”
Oliver’s standout performance in 2023 kept him on the Packers’ radar despite his injury.
“He’s one of those players who makes an impact on tape that isn’t always reflected in the stats,” Hendrickson noted. “During the Senior Bowl and at the Scouting Combine, he showed he’s comfortable and ready. We talk a lot about versatility, but he has a unique niche that I think will allow him to get on the field.”
Hendrickson mentioned that Oliver would initially work with the defensive ends but could also have opportunities as a linebacker, given his background.
In 2022, Oliver primarily played on the edge, while in 2023, he split time between edge rusher and off-the-ball linebacker. Pro Football Focus noted that in 2024, 79 of his 80 snaps came from the edge.
Losing Oliver was a significant setback for the Cowboys, as coach Mike Gundy likened his impact to that of Christian McCaffrey.
“Much of what we did in recent years was structured around maximizing his strengths,” Gundy explained after the injury. “He’s a fantastic pass rusher, similar to how NFL teams utilize top pass rushers, and losing him hurt us.”
Gundy’s comparison drew attention to Oliver’s versatility.
“It was a unique comparison, but Coach Gundy is one of a kind,” Oliver commented during his introductory Zoom call with reporters. “I appreciate him, and I found that comparison amusing.”
Now healthy, Oliver insists that his injury is “of no concern to anybody.” He was selected for the Senior Bowl, where he aimed to showcase his skills as one of the top edge rushers in the nation.
“I want to demonstrate that I can perform at the same level as great edge rushers in the NFL,” he expressed regarding his goal at the Senior Bowl. “I believe I should be considered among the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that’s what I want to prove.”
Proving his health was also a priority.
“It was vital for me to show coaches and scouts that I was fully recovered,” he said during the Zoom call.
Over 43 career games, Oliver recorded 23.5 sacks and 42 tackles for loss.
“Speed is essential to my game,” he noted.
At the Scouting Combine, he measured 6 feet, 1 ¾ inches tall, weighed 240 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, and achieved a Relative Athletic Score of 9.74.
Cornerback Jason Marshall from Florida (Dolphins) and edge rusher Elijah Roberts from SMU (Buccaneers), who both visited the Packers, were picked just before Green Bay’s selection.
The Green Bay Packers’ 2025 Draft Picks
Day 3: The Packers selected Sorrell.
Second Round: They picked NC State offensive lineman Anthony Belton. Details on his fit and ranking can be found here.
Third Round: TCU wide receiver Savion Williams was the Packers’ choice. More information on his fit and ranking is available.
First Round: The team selected Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. Check out the moment, along with NFL Draft grades and our evaluation, as well as his fit and ranking.
Report Cards: Assessments for Day 1, Day 2, Golden, Belton, and Williams are available.
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