AP source: Jags trade oft-injured Oliver to Ravens for pick

Updated Mar. 17, 2021 9:01 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Josh Oliver never got much of a chance to show what he could do in Jacksonville. He'll get a fresh start in Baltimore.

The Jaguars traded the oft-injured tight end to the Ravens on Wednesday for a conditional draft pick in 2022, according to person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has confirmed the trade. The person said the pick will become a seventh-rounder if Oliver makes Baltimore’s 53-man roster this year.

Oliver, a 2019 third-round pick from San Jose State, was limited to four games because of injuries. Now, he gets a chance to play alongside or behind Ravens standout Mark Andrews.

Oliver showed glimpses of ability during offseason drills and training camp, but his availability was a significant issue. He missed all of last season after breaking a bone in his left foot in training camp. He played just four games as a rookie, finishing with three receptions for 15 yards. He sat out the first six games that year because of a strained hamstring and landed on injured reserve for the final six because of a back injury.

New Jaguars coach Urban Meyer vowed to completely revamp Jacksonville's tight end room, but he failed to land any of the top guys available in free agency. Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith agreed to sign with New England, and Gerald Everett announced Wednesday he is joining Seattle.

Philadelphia's Zach Ertz has been given permission to seek a trade, but it's unclear how interested Jacksonville is in the three-time Pro Bowler.

Jacksonville added former Carolina run-blocking specialist Chris Manhertz (two years, $7.25 million) and re-signed James O'Shaughnessy. They also have Tyler Davis, a sixth-round pick from Georgia Tech in 2020.

But trading Oliver adds to the team's woes at tight end in recent years. The Jags whiffed in free agency on Tyler Eifert (2020), Geoff Swaim (2019), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2018) and Julius Thomas (2015).

They have five of the top 65 picks in next month's draft, and a tight end is almost guaranteed to be one of them.

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