Branden Oliver
  • Branden Oliver

  • RB
  • ,
  • 33
  • 208 lbs
  • 5' 8"
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Scouting report

by Steve Andress

LAC RB Branden Oliver - Week 4 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 4 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Oliver is the handcuff to Melvin Gordon. He's not a starting lineup consideration.

by Steve Andress

LAC RB Branden Oliver - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Oliver is simply the handcuff to Melvin Gordon. He has no starting lineup value unless Gordon gets injured.

by Steve Andress

LAC RB Branden Oliver - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 at Denver Broncos

Branden Oliver appears to be the handcuff to Melvin Gordon, but considering Gordon had 50 carries in two games against Denver last season, Oliver should be nowhere near your starting lineup until there's some proof he is getting a useful share of backfield touches.

by Bob Harris

LAC RB Branden Oliver - 2017 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

Branden Oliver broke onto the scene with an unforgettable performance against the New York Jets in 2014, rushing for 114 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns against the NFL's top-ranked rushing defense. As he enters his fourth year in the league, the 5-foot-8, 208-pound rusher believes he has even more to prove than his rookie year. After a toe injury cost him the final eight games of the 2015 season, Oliver missed all of 2016 after tearing his Achilles in the third preseason game. Still, after OTAs, Philip Rivers told reporters you'd never know Oliver hasn't suited up in a game since Nov. 1, 2015. "He looks good," Rivers said. "He looks explosive. I know it's early, but I think he really is a great complement to Melvin (Gordon). Their styles are different, but similar. (We) have two backs who can run all the same plays, but it's a little different."

Fantasy Downside

Barring injury, expecting Gordon to come off the field for more than brief blows is a bit of a reach.

2017 Bottom Line

While Kenneth Farrow, Kenjon Barner and Andre Williams are also in the mix, Oliver's work when healthy stands out. It doesn't necessarily make him a true handcuff, but it makes him a player to watch this summer.

by Bob Harris

SD RB Branden Oliver - 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
Fully healed from a toe injury that ended his 2015 season after only eight games, jack-of-all trades running back Branden Oliver is back for his third season with the Chargers. Remember: Oliver ended 2014 as the Chargers’ leading rusher. According to HC Mike McCoy, the 5-8, 208-pound running back has been up to his usual tricks thus far in training camp. One of Oliver’s trademark moves is the manner in which he finishes each carry. The 25-year old constantly keeps his feet moving, and nearly always falls forward at the end of his runs.

Fantasy Downside
Oliver opens the season behind Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead on the depth chart.

2016 Bottom Line
Unless or until issues arise that allow Oliver to move into the starting lineup, he'll be of no use to fantasy owners in need of consistent production. But if that opportunity arises, Oliver is a more-than-capable playmaker, as he demonstrated in as a rookie in 2014. Remember, Oliver was twice named NFL Rookie of the Week that year including a win over the Jets in which he became the first Charger with a 50-yard catch and a 50-yard run in the same game since 1985 and he became the NFL’s first rookie to do so since Clinton Portis in 2002.

by Scott Pagel

SD RB Branden Oliver - Week 8, 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 8 at Baltimore
Branden Oliver has saw a bump in touches over the last two weeks as Melvin Gordon continues his rookie struggles. It looks as if the team is going to give Oliver his chance to produce at least on early downs. Oliver ran nine times for 39 yards and was also involved in the passing game catching six balls for 39 yards on seven targets. Oliver is way down our list at 42nd this week, but is perhaps a guy to keep an eye on if his touches continue to increase.

by Bob Harris

SD RB Branden Oliver - 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
An undrafted rookie free agent signed after the 2014 draft, Branden Oliver emerged as the Chargers starter last season after injuries to Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown. Oliver ran for more than 100 yards against the Jets and the Raiders and finished the season with 160 carries and a team-high 582 yards with four total touchdowns. He showed he can effectively run between the tackles and in goal-line situations, even at his diminutive size. He also did a nice job of catching the ball out of the backfield, nabbing 36 receptions for 271 yards. Oliver played a total of 381 offensive snaps proving himself physical enough to serve as an every-down running back if the team needed him in that role. But that kind of role likely isn't in the cards, assuming Melvin Gordon is everything the Chargers expected when they selected him in the first round of this year's draft (and with Woodhead returning healthy from his broken ankle).

Fantasy Downside
Oliver is the third man in the Chargers running back committee.

Bottom Line
As effective as Oliver was last season, it's hard to imagine him getting a significant role unless somebody else -- Gordon -- falls far short of expectations. Redraft owners should consider him waiver-wire fodder until further notice.

Branden Oliver news