Get ready for a thrilling NFL debut! Green Bay Packers' rookie defensive end, Collin Oliver, is set to make his highly anticipated first appearance in the league. But here's the twist: this game against the Minnesota Vikings might not hold the usual weight for the Packers, as it's their regular season finale.
Matt LaFleur, the Packers' head coach, has confirmed that he expects Oliver to finally take the field in Week 18. Drafted from Oklahoma State, Oliver brings an impressive resume, having lined up as both an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. His stats speak for themselves: 134 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, and a whopping 23.5 sacks. However, a foot injury limited his senior season to just two games, a setback that has kept him on the sidelines until now.
Milt Hendrickson, the Packers' director of scouting, had this to say about Oliver: "He has a unique skillset with his twitch and explosiveness off the edge. He also offers versatility as a stack linebacker and brings immense value to special teams with his overall skillset."
Oliver was initially expected to be a situational pass rusher and a key contributor on special teams. However, a hamstring injury during training camp and the preseason set him back. The Packers placed him on the physically unable to perform list at the start of the regular season, and it wasn't until December 2nd that he was designated to return. After several weeks of practice, Oliver was finally activated to the 53-man roster on December 22nd.
The Packers are hoping that Oliver can provide a much-needed boost to their pass-rushing unit, especially with Micah Parsons out for the season and Rashan Gary going nine straight games without a sack.
And this is the part most people miss: even if Oliver makes his debut on Sunday, it won't affect the Packers' playoff positioning. Coming off three consecutive losses, they are already locked in as the NFC's seventh seed. The team is expected to rest some of its key players, including quarterback Jordan Love, who recently recovered from a concussion sustained against the Chicago Bears. With backup Malik Willis nursing a shoulder injury, third-stringer Clayton Tune will start the game.
So, while the game itself might not have a significant impact on the Packers' season, it provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate Oliver and newly acquired corner Trevon Diggs. Will they be the difference-makers the Packers need to make a deep run in the postseason? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is Oliver's debut a sign of things to come for the Packers, or is it too little, too late? Let us know in the comments!
