Ed Oliver (American football)

Oliver attended Westfield High School in Houston. Oliver had 83 tackles, nine sacks and an interception as a senior and 84 tackles and seven sacks as a junior. In Oliver's senior season, Westfield went 11–1 into the 2015 UIL playoffs, where they lost 28–21 in the Area final to later state runner-up Austin Lake Travis.^[1][2]

Oliver was rated as a consensus five-star recruit and was ranked among the top players in his class.^[3][4] Receiving offers from a multitude of powerhouse schools, including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M, Oliver chose to play college football at the University of Houston, becoming the first recruit rated by ESPN as a five-star to commit to a school outside the Power Five conferences.^[5]

Oliver became an immediate starter his true freshman year at Houston in 2016.^[6][7][8] He started all 12 games during the regular season, recording 60 tackles and five sacks. He was named the winner of the Bill Willis Trophy, becoming the first freshman to win the award.^[9]

In 2017, Oliver's sophomore season, he was selected to the Walter Camp All-America first team and won the Outland Trophy, presented to the nation's top interior lineman.^[10]

Following his junior year in 2018, Oliver decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft.

On March 5, 2018, before the start of his junior year, Oliver announced that he already intended to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2019 NFL draft.^[13] In May 2018, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay projected Oliver to go No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft.^[14]

Oliver was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round with the ninth overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft.^[15] On May 9, 2019, Oliver signed his four-year rookie contract, worth a fully guaranteed $19.7 million.^[16]

In week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, Oliver recorded his first career sack on Ryan Fitzpatrick in the 31–21 win.^[17] In week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, Oliver recorded two sacks on quarterback Dak Prescott, including a strip sack recovered by teammate Trent Murphy that set up a Bills touchdown in the 26–15 win.^[18][19] Oliver was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance in Dallas.^[20][21] He finished his rookie season with five sacks and 43 combined tackles.^[22] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.^[23]

In Week 2 against the Dolphins, Oliver recorded another season opening sack on Ryan Fitzpatrick during the 31–28 win.^[24] He finished the season with 33 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble through 16 starts.^[25]

Oliver entered the 2021 season as a starting defensive tackle. He started all 17 games, recording 41 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble.^[26]

On April 26, 2022, the Bills picked up the fifth-year option on Oliver's contract.^[27] In Week 12, Oliver had six tackles, two for a loss, a safety, a forced fumble and recovery in a 28–25 win over the Lions, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.^[28] He made 13 starts and appearances in the 2022 season. He recorded 2.5 sacks, one safety, 34 total tackles (20 solo), three passes defended, and one forced fumble.^[29] In the Bills' Divisional Round win over the Dolphins, Oliver had one sack.^[30]

On June 3, 2023, Oliver signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension with the Bills.^[31] He made 16 starts and appearances in the 2023 season, contributing a career-high 9.5 sacks, 51 total tackles (34 solo), one interception, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.^[32]

Oliver started all 14 games he played in for Buffalo during the 2024 season. He recorded a team-leading three forced fumbles, three sacks, and 29 combined tackles.^[33]

Oliver began the 2025 season as a Bills starter, recording three sacks, 12 combined tackles, and one forced fumble in three starts; an ankle injury caused him to miss four early-season contests. In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, Oliver suffered a torn biceps tendon in his left arm, causing him to be placed on injured reserve.^[34] On December 31, 2025, it was announced that Oliver had undergone a minimally invasive surgery to repair damage to his meniscus that he suffered during his rehabilitation.^[35] On January 16, 2026, Oliver was activated from injured reserve ahead of Buffalo's divisional round matchup against the Denver Broncos.^[36]