A week earlier, Oliver emerged as one of the lowest-graded 49ers defenders in the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, per Pro Football Focus. He was targeted four times, giving up four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown, earning an overall grade of 30.1.
Oliver had a better outing against the Broncos, giving up only one catch for 18 yards. His Pro Football Focus grade of 65.9 was a significant improvement.
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks reiterated what head coach Kyle Shanahan has recently stated. There is an open competition to find Jimmie Ward's replacement at nickel.
"I'm very pleased with where we are," Wilks told reporters after Monday's practice. "And just to indulge a little bit of information, and don't get in the habit of listening to this or thinking that I'm going to do this every time, but we're very pleased with where Oliver is. We brought him in for a reason.
"This league is all about matchups, so I've never been a part of anything like this, to have this kind of depth. I've been on teams where we're waiting to see exactly, in the last preseason game, who gets cut, and everybody's looking at this particular team trying to pull from [it].
"So to have the options that we have, not only at the nickel position but across the board, linebackers as well as D-line, is a luxury. And again, with the matchups that we're going to face, Oliver is going to be in there, Demo (Lenoir) may be in there, based off who we're playing.
"We continue to just try to find a perfect mix. So I think that's the key thing, and that's the reason why you saw Demo in there last week."
Matchups will be key for the 49ers defense during the regular season. Who starts at nickel cornerback any given week will depend on those matchups. It doesn't sound like the coach will depend on just one player in that spot throughout the season.
"Think about the league and how it's made up," Wilks said. "It's no utopia. So for us to be able to have balance right there is critical. I wouldn't put Demo on a tight end. We may want to go nickel with 12 Personnel. I'm not going to put Demo on a tight end. Oliver is going to be on that other tight end. There's going to be certain matchups in the slot right there based off who that guy may be. I'm not going to put Oliver in that situation. Demo may be that guy.
"So there's teams that don't have this flexibility. I think it's a luxury."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Steve Young details how 49ers' contract negotiations with Brock Purdy could get awkward
Brock Purdy is poised for a significant payday this offseason, and the San Francisco 49ers are eager to lock in their young quarterback with a long-term deal. However, the real question centers around determining Purdy's worth. Should the 49ers help him reset the market, or can... -
49ers mailbag: Can SF re-sign Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga? Which big-name players could the 49ers lose this offseason?
The San Francisco 49ers have three games remaining in the 2024 season. They would love to win all three and finish on a high note. But it won't be easy. On Sunday, they play in Miami and are still banged up at some key positions, namely running back, with Isaac Guerendo having... -
Why the 49ers plan to keep playing Brock Purdy behind an injury-depleted O-line
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been sacked six times over the past two games, and his protection won't be improving anytime soon. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Monday that left tackle Trent Williams, who has missed the last five games with an ankle... -
Kyle Shanahan on 49ers' likely Week 16 starter, Patrick Taylor Jr.: "Big opportunity for him"
The San Francisco 49ers' injury woes continue to mount. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Friday that Patrick Taylor Jr. will "most likely" start at running back in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. The team has ruled out rookie Isaac Guerendo due to a hamstring...