Branden Oliver Forging Unique Identity as Versatile Weapon for Chargers

After Sunday's exciting comeback win over the Oakland Raiders, the San Diego Chargers find themselves tied for the best record in the NFL at 5-1.

Not every game has been a work of beauty, but the fact that the Chargers have found a way to win five straight games with an injury-depleted backfield is a testament to just how complete of a team this is.

It is also a testament to the emergence of rookie running back Branden Oliver, who has stepped up and delivered with Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead sidelined by injury.

Originally brought in as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts, Oliver found his way to the Chargers and made an immediate impression with his new team. NFL.com's Gil Brandt was also very impressed by Oliver's performance:

Oliver made the final roster, but he wasn't expected to be a major piece of the Chargers offense. However, starter Mathews suffered a sprained MCL in Week 2, and Woodhead suffered a season-ending injury the following week. These injuries left San Diego reliant on Oliver.

The unlikely addition from the University of Buffalo has responded in a big way.

Through six games, Oliver has rushed for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He has also added 124 yards and an additional score on 12 receptions. Over the past two weeks alone, he has 306 yards of total offense and all three scores.

His 124 combined yards were a big part of San Diego's divisional win over the Raiders on Sunday.

What's truly interesting is the way Oliver has responded to his unique situation. The 5'7", 208-pound back's size was likely a big reason why he went undrafted. However, he has played like a big-time back and to a level that justifies his presence in one of the league's most potent offenses.

He is shifty, operates well in space, plays a physical brand of football and is a legitimate threat as a receiver out of the backfield. While he hasn't established himself as a kick-return threat, it isn't exactly too early to start the Darren Sproles comparisons. Oliver, though, doesn't want to hear them, as he expressed in recent comments, courtesy of Marty Caswell of The Mighty 1090 Sports Radio:

It is worth noting that Sproles, who has emerged as one of the league's most versatile weapons, amassed just 60 offensive yards in his rookie season with the Chargers. This isn't to suggest that Oliver has a Sproles-type career ahead of him, only that he has found a bigger offensive role, more quickly.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Oliver entered Sunday's contest ranked 13th overall among all running backs. He was ranked ninth among backs as a pass-catcher and eighth with an average of 3.74 yards per route run.

It is still extremely early in Oliver's career, but it already looks like he has what it takes to thrive at the pro level.

According to one former Buffalo teammate, Oliver's success shouldn't be a surprise.

“I wasn’t surprised when I saw that at all,” Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack said of Oliver's 182-yard day against the New York Jets in Week 5, per Vic Tafur of SFGate.com. “It was only practice in college, but he is the best running back I ever played against in my life. He’s quick, can lower his shoulder, can catch and can block.”

It would seem that Oliver has impressed his NFL teammates the same way he impressed his collegiate ones. It has led to an opportunity, and Oliver is taking full advantage.

Impressing the NFL? Oliver is doing that too.