Ed Oliver vs Aaron Donald Physical Comparison

[Stampede]

I'm trying not to get too excited over what this defense could be. I just read the article about how Von Miller can elevate Ed's game, and it was eye-opening when you consider the effect Von had on Aaron. From the article, I thought this was quite telling:

Quote

...among 49 tackles who played at least 50% of his team’s pass rush snaps, Oliver was 18th with 40 pressures. Now, that’s a far cry from Donald who led all tackles with a whopping 86 pressures, 19 more than No. 2 Jonathan Allen of the Commanders. But comparing Oliver to Donald, who is one of the best defensive players in the history of the NFL, is a bit unfair.
Here’s something to consider, though: Of Donald’s 86 pressures, 45 of them, as well as the 23 he piled up in four playoff games, came AFTER Miller arrived...

Also, consider that Von was only with the Rams for just 12 games, if I'm correct. Plus, our defense is better than the Rams' with Von, IMO. Anyway, I compared the physical attributes of the two as a reminder of how similar they are. Some of Ed's numbers are from his pro day workout.

Ed Oliver	Aaron Donald
Height: 6 ft 1.5 in	Height: 6 ft.75 in
Weight: 287 lb	Weight: 285 lb
40-yard dash:4.73 s	40-yard dash:4.68 s
10-yard split:1.63 s	10-yard split:1.63 s
20-yard split:2.78 s	20-yard split:2.69 s
20-yard shuttle:4.19 s	20-yard shuttle:4.39 s
Three-cone drill:7.15 s	Three-cone drill:7.11 s
Vertical jump:36 in	Vertical jump:32 in
Broad jump:10 ft	Broad jump:9 ft 8 in
Bench press:32 reps	Bench press:35 reps

 

Edited August 4, 2022 by Stampede

[ColoradoBills]

Like Von just said, Aaron is Aaron and Ed is Ed.  Ed will make his own mark and no need to compare the 2.

[Royale with Cheese]

Miller will definitely help Oliver.  I see Oliver around 8 sacks this year.

 

They are physically about the same but Donald is more fluid which makes him nearly unstoppable.  Great first step, strength, fluid and great hands.

 

Oliver is first step and power right now.  If his hands get much better, he will be much more dangerous.

[Chicken Boo]

No disrespect to Oliver, but Aaron Donald is the best DT and one of the top 3 most dominant defensive forces this league has ever seen. 

Edited August 4, 2022 by Chicken Boo

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Long way to go to get to that level. Different style of players also. Donald has the best hands ever probably.

[C.Biscuit97]

We should just switch them and no one would ever know! 
 

and I was a big Oliver fan at the draft and still like his potential. But AD is just a different human being. Besides size, there is zero comparison. AD is one of the best players in NFL history. 

[LabattBlue]

Cmon man. Aaron Donald was all-world before Von arrived, and will continue to be, now that Von is with the Bills.  100% first ballot HoF lock. 
 

Oliver…a long long long way from being able to even sniff Donald’s jock. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

16 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

We should just switch them and no one would ever know! 
 

and I was a big Oliver fan at the draft and still like his potential. But AD is just a different human being. Besides size, there is zero comparison. AD is one of the best players in NFL history. 

Oliver has always made people excited as a pass rusher but never put up the stats, even back to college. Hopefully those sack numbers come this year. Seems to always be in the backfield.

Edited August 4, 2022 by Buffalo_Stampede

[julian]

Luckily the Bills don’t need Ed to be AD, if Ed continues his upward trajectory with another jump this season, the Bills will lead the league in point differential once again.

[mabden]

41 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

No disrespect to Oliver, but Aaron Donald is best DT and one of top 3 most dominant defensive forces this league has ever seen. 

 

You mean other than Bruce Smith, Reggie White, or Lawrence Taylor?

Edited August 4, 2022 by mabden

[CorkScrewHill]

25 minutes ago, BTB said:

Cmon man. Aaron Donald was all-world before Von arrived, and will continue to be, now that Von is with the Bills.  100% first ballot HoF lock. 
 

Oliver…a long long long way from being able to even sniff Donald’s jock. 

It would be a long, long way .. I did the calculation and specifically it is 2,612 miles driving between St. John Fisher and the Rams training camp facility. I doubt Sean would allow him to make the trip even if Ed was predisposed to sniffing Aaron's jock.

[FilthyBeast]

Donald was stud out of the gate and had 9, 11, and 8 sacks his first 3 NFL seasons. No sacks aren't always everything but it was clear he was truly a dominant player from day one and has continued to seemingly get better each year.

 

Oliver could truly explode this year alongside Miller and a revamped dline but just don't think it's a valid (or fair) comparison at this point when talking about possibly the greatest DT to ever play the game and sure fire HOFer in Donald.

 

Also have to consider McD and Frazier's rotational philosophy and no guy up front never really getting more than 60% of the snaps each game.

[Mr. WEO]

36 minutes ago, BTB said:

Cmon man. Aaron Donald was all-world before Von arrived, and will continue to be, now that Von is with the Bills.  100% first ballot HoF lock. 
 

Oliver…a long long long way from being able to even sniff Donald’s jock. 

 

 

Exactly!  Miller had a cup of coffee in LA (and picked up a ring).  Donald was already all world before that.

 

This is nuts!!

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, Stampede said:

Of Donald’s 86 pressures, 45 of them, as well as the 23 he piled up in four playoff games, came AFTER Miller arrived

1 hour ago, Stampede said:

 

Also, consider that Von was only with the Rams for just 12 games, if I'm correct

Von only played 8 games in LA.

 

So 41 of AD's pressures came in the first 9 games. And 45 of them came in the last 8.

 

So 4.5 pressures per game before Von.  To 5.6 with Von.

 

Oliver had 40 pressures in 17 games. Which is 2.3 per game. So maybe he'll get 1ish more per game?

 

[Brand J]

Even though they tested similarly athletically, I think Donald is much more powerful and has better pass rush moves. Donald also has to have a low body fat percentage because he’s got washboard abs; that’s sort of unnatural at a squat 285 lbs. 

[gobills404]

No disrespect to Ed, by this just shows that how a player uses their athleticism is wayyyyy more important than just being an athlete.

[John from Riverside]

Oliver is obviously Donald light

 

That doesnt mean Ed is a bad player he is actually much better then he gets credit for.....but when your the best DT in the league........

[Awwufelloff]

Donald is Bruce/Reggie level dominant. I expect big things from Oliver this year though. 

[Doc]

I saw those similarities prior to being drafted and hoped he could turn into another Donald.  He hasn't (yet?) but hopefully better 1T play and Von Miller help him get close.

[Dat]

Donald is a force and one of a kind.

 

However, I will throw this out there. Last year I was looking them both up and if i remember right Oliver's snap count is around 50% over his career and Donald's is over 80%.

 

I have to think that if given more opportunities based on what I see of Oliver's game the discussion would be at least a little closer.

I know McD loves his rotation but I would have a hard time taking Von and Oliver out in a big game situation regardless if they had just been in.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

this thread

 

[Matt_In_NH]

Aaron Donald was NFL Defensive MVP multiple times before he ever played with Von Miller.  From the numbers shown 45 of 86 pressures came in the 12 games after Von Miller arrived, which means that 41 happened in the first 9 games assuming the 12 games included the 12 playoff games.   So 45 in 8 games with Miller vs 41 in 9 games without is something but does not necessarily equate to resulting from Miller.  There could be other explanations like quality of opponent.

 

Having said all that, I am excited to see what Ed can do this year along with Rosseau/Basham.   Miller should help them.

[C.Biscuit97]

1 hour ago, mabden said:

 

You mean other than Bruce Smith, Reggie White, or Lawrence Taylor?

Nothing against those greats but it so much harder to be a dominant pass rusher at DT. That’s also why I give Bruce so much credit because he was a 3-4 DE. Way more difficult that being a 4-3 DE or OLB because you are going against 2 linemen instead of just a tackle, TE, or rb.

 

Donald has a very strong case to be on the nfl all time team as a DT.

[BigDingus]

5 hours ago, mabden said:

 

You mean other than Bruce Smith, Reggie White, or Lawrence Taylor?

 

None of which played DT, a position which historically doesn't get the big numbers DE's & OLB who primarily focus on pass rush get.

Edited August 4, 2022 by BigDingus

[Ethan in Cleveland]

It's like comparing Superman to Batman.  Donald is all world and Oliver is still great but he can't match the physical gifts Donald has.  

[Ethan in Cleveland]

10 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Nothing against those greats but it so much harder to be a dominant pass rusher at DT. That’s also why I give Bruce so much credit because he was a 3-4 DE. Way more difficult that being a 4-3 DE or OLB because you are going against 2 linemen instead of just a tackle, TE, or rb.

 

Donald has a very strong case to be on the nfl all time team as a DT.

I think Donald has already earned that distinction. If your all NFL team is a 4-3 defense then your starting DL would be Reggie White, Aaron Donald, Joe Greene, and Bruce Smith.   Second team for me would be Deacon Jones, Randy White, Warren Sapp, and probably JJ Watt or Leroy Selmon.

[transient]

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

Von only played 8 games in LA.

 

So 41 of AD's pressures came in the first 9 games. And 45 of them came in the last 8.

 

So 4.5 pressures per game before Von.  To 5.6 with Von.

 

Oliver had 40 pressures in 17 games. Which is 2.3 per game. So maybe he'll get 1ish more per game?

 

Yes, but the defense gave up 0.22 pts per game MORE and the Rams LOST one more game in the regular season with Miller than without him... DOOOOOMED!! 

[Mat68]

2 hours ago, Chicken Boo said:

No disrespect to Oliver, but Aaron Donald is best DT and one of top 3 most dominant defensive forces this league has ever seen. 

Donald is 280 with an 8 pack.  They are similar size and speed  but different human. 

Edited August 4, 2022 by Mat68

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

Arnold is 280 with an 8 pack.  They are similar size and speed  but different human. 

 

[3rdnlng]

2 hours ago, CorkScrewHill said:

It would be a long, long way .. I did the calculation and specifically it is 2,612 miles driving between St. John Fisher and the Rams training camp facility. I doubt Sean would allow him to make the trip even if Ed was predisposed to sniffing Aaron's jock.

If Oliver was desirous enough to sniff Darnold's jock then he could fly, even by private jet. Look at it as a test to determine what kind of a motor Oliver has. 

[DCofNC]

3 hours ago, mabden said:

 

You mean other than Bruce Smith, Reggie White, or Lawrence Taylor?

He’s right there with any of them. 

[DCofNC]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Portland said:

It's like comparing Superman to Batman.  Donald is all world and Oliver is still great but he can't match the physical gifts Donald has.  

It’s like comparing Superman to Roger Rabbit.  Oliver is an average starter vs arguably the best player ever at his position. 

[Stampede]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Donald is all world and Oliver is still great but he can't match the physical gifts Donald has.

But see, that's one reason I looked at both of their combine/pro day workouts. They both are basically the same physically and in workout results. So technique and the fact that Ed has far less snap count have to be the biggest difference (along with coaching). Ed declared early, which does count against him. What I was getting at with this post is with the progress that Ed has been making in this defensive system, he should go completely ballistic this season. It's not like Aaron is 6 inches taller, 70 pounds heavier, and benched 45 reps. They are very much similar. If Ed stays healthy, gets more snaps, and continues to improve, he can be on the list of the greatest.

11 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

Oliver is an average starter vs arguably the best player ever at his position. 

I have to say that I may be way, way off. But I believe he is better than an average starter. He has the potential to become a star in the league. I could be wrong.

[Stampede]

4 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

Like Von just said, Aaron is Aaron and Ed is Ed.  Ed will make his own mark and no need to compare the 2.

Yes, Aaron is Aaron, and Ed is Ed, and Ed will make his mark. But there is and will always be comparison. That's how we gauge the level of any athlete's (or actor, musician, artist, etc.) performance and improvement. Someone has to set the benchmark to which all participants are subject to. However, my comparison was of their physical attributes only, to highlight that Aaron doesn't have an unfair advantage due to size or freak of nature strength.

[billybrew1]

5 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Miller will definitely help Oliver.  I see Oliver around 8 sacks this year.

 

They are physically about the same but Donald is more fluid which makes him nearly unstoppable.  Great first step, strength, fluid and great hands.

 

Oliver is first step and power right now.  If his hands get much better, he will be much more dangerous.

I’d say the biggest difference between the two is that Donald always took to coaching and Ed did not. Being from a small school and not really liking his coaches and having tremendous success without coaching sealed the deal for Oliver  who needed a couple years to realize how good the NFL is… way behind Donald at this point, he has been learning for a couple years now and training harder than he used to….He’s getting better now but is still far behind Donald in a lot of ways…. Perhaps hand-fighting is number one? Though, I recall, Ed is Abendextorous…. He should be very good at hand fighting…. And it is something how good of a one-tech Ed is but at the same time, a complete shame on us he had to play one-tech for us….

[Chicken Boo]

4 hours ago, mabden said:

 

You mean other than Bruce Smith, Reggie White, or Lawrence Taylor?

 

He's more dominant than Bruce.  

[Mr. WEO]

4 hours ago, Joe in Winslow said:

this thread

 

 

It's a mess on so many levels.

[Stampede]

45 minutes ago, billybrew1 said:

I’d say the biggest difference between the two is that Donald always took to coaching and Ed did not. Being from a small school and not really liking his coaches and having tremendous success without coaching sealed the deal for Oliver  who needed a couple years to realize how good the NFL is

I didn't realize this excellent point. I know he needed an attitude change. Listening to him after the draft, it was obvious he thought it would be business as usual.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

16 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

It's a mess on so many levels.

Like I said most overrated player on the team 

[Mr. WEO]

4 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

Like I said most overrated player on the team 

 

Plus comparing them physically

 

 

Plus even suggesting that Miller somehow made Donald.