Josh Oliver

Josh Oliver Bio

Josh Oliver (born March 21, 1997) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oliver has developed into one of the league’s top run-blocking tight ends while also contributing as a reliable receiving target. His journey from a high school dual-sport athlete in California to a key contributor on an NFL roster spans multiple teams and showcases his versatility and resilience. Oliver played college football for the San Jose State Spartans, where he established himself as a standout tight end in the Mountain West Conference.

Early Life and Background

Josh Oliver was born in Templeton, California, and attended Paso Robles High School in Paso Robles. His family has deep roots in athletics, particularly in football and baseball. His father, Rene Oliver, earned first-team All-Western Football Conference honors as a cornerback at Cal Poly in 1987 and 1988. His uncle, Clancy Oliver, played defensive back in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 to 1970 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. His second cousin, Darren Oliver, was a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched from 1993 to 2013.

At Paso Robles High School, Oliver was a multi-sport athlete who played tight end, defensive end, and outside linebacker on the football team while also serving as a forward on the basketball team. He earned first-team all-county accolades from the San Luis Obispo Tribune in both sports. During his senior year in 2014, he compiled 453 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches while helping his high school advance to the CIF Southern California Division III championship game.

Oliver’s defensive performance was equally impressive. He was selected as the 2014 CIF Southern Section Northern Division Defensive Player of the Year in January 2015. As a senior, he accumulated 13 sacks and two interceptions, demonstrating his ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball. He was a high school and college teammate of Bailey Gaither, who later became a wide receiver and return specialist in the United States Football League.

Path to the NFL

Initially listed as an “athlete” throughout much of his recruiting process, Oliver committed to play at San Jose State University. Upon signing his National Letter of Intent, he was announced as a tight end, with then-positional coach Dan Ferrigno noting that Oliver had “the tools to become an elite tight end.” He arrived at SJSU in 2015 as a freshman and immediately began making an impact.

During his freshman season, Oliver’s blocking was recognized as a significant factor in Tyler Ervin breaking the program’s single-season rushing yardage record. He also emerged as a receiving threat, catching his first collegiate touchdown during the Spartans’ Cure Bowl victory over Georgia State. Throughout his four-year career at San Jose State from 2015 to 2018, Oliver recorded 98 receptions for 1,067 yards and seven touchdowns.

Oliver’s most productive season came in 2018 when he earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection and served as a team captain. His 56 receptions that season ranked third among all FBS-level tight ends. Midway through the 2018 season, he won the John Mackey Award as the national tight end of the week after producing eight catches for 158 yards against Hawaii on September 27, setting a school single-game receiving yardage record by a tight end. He was also a Mountain West Conference All-Academic honoree in all four of his college years, demonstrating his dedication both on and off the field. Following his senior season, Oliver was invited to the Senior Bowl.

Josh Oliver Career

Jacksonville Jaguars (2019–2020)

Josh Oliver was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round with the 69th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. His rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 18, 2019, limiting him to just a few games of action. The injury bug continued into his second season, as Oliver underwent surgery on a broken bone in his foot and was placed on injured reserve again on August 20, 2020, effectively ending his tenure with the Jaguars after just two seasons.

Baltimore Ravens (2021–2022)

On March 18, 2021, Oliver was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a conditional 2022 seventh-round draft pick. The change of scenery proved beneficial for Oliver, who was entering his third NFL season with a new team. In the 2021 season, he appeared in 14 games and recorded nine receptions for 66 yards, showing gradual improvement in his role within the Ravens’ offense.

The 2022 season marked a breakthrough for Oliver. In Week 3 against the New England Patriots, he caught his first career touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson from one yard out in the end zone. He finished that game with two receptions for eight yards and the touchdown in the Ravens’ 37-26 victory. The 2022 season became his most productive professional season up to that point, as he finished with 14 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Perhaps more impressively, Oliver’s performance as a run blocker earned him recognition around the league. Per Pro Football Focus, Oliver graded as the top run-blocking tight end in the NFL among the 53 tight ends who played at least 200 blocking snaps during the 2022 season, establishing him as one of the premier blocking tight ends in the league.

Minnesota Vikings (2023–Present)

On March 15, 2023, Oliver signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The move to Minnesota gave Oliver an opportunity to continue his development with a new organization. He finished the 2023 season with 22 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns, showing consistency in his receiving production.

Oliver built upon that momentum in the 2024 season, recording 22 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns. His receiving yards increased significantly from the previous season, demonstrating his growing chemistry with Vikings quarterbacks and his expanded role in the passing offense. On June 10, 2025, Oliver signed a three-year, $23.25 million contract extension with the Vikings, securing his place with the organization through 2029 and reflecting the value he has brought to the team.

Driving Style and Strengths

Josh Oliver has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier run-blocking tight ends. His size at 6-foot-5 and 264 pounds allows him to match up effectively against defensive ends and linebackers in the running game. His technique and physicality at the point of contact have earned him high grades from professional scouting services. While he has developed into a reliable receiving target with sure hands, his blocking ability remains his calling card and what sets him apart from many tight ends around the league.

Notable Events and Milestones

Oliver’s first career touchdown reception from Lamar Jackson in 2022 represented a significant milestone in his professional career after battling injuries in Jacksonville. His top run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2022 among qualifying tight ends cemented his reputation as an elite blocker. The contract extension with Minnesota in 2025 marked another career milestone, validating his journey from a third-round draft pick who struggled with injuries early in his career to a valued contributor on an NFL roster.

Josh Oliver Career Wins

Throughout his NFL career, Josh Oliver has accumulated solid receiving statistics while making his biggest impact as a run blocker. His career totals through the 2025 season include 85 receptions for 861 yards and 11 touchdowns across his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings Highlights

Oliver’s most productive seasons have come with the Minnesota Vikings. In his first season with the team in 2023, he recorded 22 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns over 17 games. He followed that up with 22 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns in the 2024 season, showing improved efficiency and chemistry within the offense. The 2025 season saw him continue his progression with the team before signing his contract extension in June.

Other Wins and Performances

Prior to joining the Vikings, Oliver showed flashes of his abilities with the Baltimore Ravens. His 2022 season with Baltimore was particularly notable, as he recorded 14 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns, including his first career touchdown catch. His performance that season earned him recognition as the top run-blocking tight end in the NFL, a testament to his versatility and value to an offense.

Josh Oliver Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Josh Oliver comes from an exceptionally athletic family with deep roots in professional sports. His father, Rene Oliver, was a standout cornerback at Cal Poly who earned first-team All-Western Football Conference honors in both 1987 and 1988. His uncle, Clancy Oliver, carved out a six-year NFL career as a defensive back, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 to 1970 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. This multi-generational football lineage provided Josh with both the genetic foundation and the competitive mindset that would define his own football career.

Beyond football, the Oliver family has connections to Major League Baseball through Josh’s second cousin, Darren Oliver, who pitched in the majors from 1993 to 2013. Darren’s long professional career spanning two decades demonstrated the family’s ability to excel at the highest levels of sport. Growing up in this environment undoubtedly influenced Josh’s development as an athlete and his understanding of what it takes to succeed professionally.

Personal Life

Josh Oliver attended Paso Robles High School in Paso Robles, California, before moving on to play collegiately at San Jose State University. He has maintained a presence on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle joshhhh_89 on Instagram. Oliver’s journey through the NFL has seen him relocate multiple times, from Jacksonville to Baltimore, and finally to Minnesota, where he has established himself as a key contributor. His continued success in the league, reflected in his recent contract extension, demonstrates how he has overcome early-career injuries to build a lasting professional career.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a significant milestone in Josh Oliver’s career with the Minnesota Vikings. Before the season got fully underway, Oliver signed a lucrative three-year, $23.25 million contract extension in June, securing his future with the organization through 2029. This extension came as recognition for his consistent contributions to the team over his first two seasons in Minnesota, where he had recorded 44 receptions for 471 yards and five touchdowns combined. The contract reflected the Vikings’ confidence in Oliver as a key piece of their tight end rotation and offensive plans moving forward.

Oliver continued to build on his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable run-blocking tight ends while also contributing as a receiving option. His established chemistry with the Vikings’ quarterbacks and his ability to impact the game in multiple facets made him a valuable asset in both the running and passing game. His performance through the 2025 season reinforced his value to the team and positioned him as a long-term contributor in Minnesota’s offense.