The Buffalo Bills selected Ed Oliver with the No. 9 pick in this past April’s draft. The hope was that the uber-athletic lineman from Houston would be an additional piece to strengthen an already punishing defensive unit.

Thus far, Oliver has recorded 20 total tackles and one sack, although he’s still waiting on bringing down his first quarterback for a sack. There have been moments where the rookie has found its way into opponent backfields. However, as with all first-year players, there have been times where some refinement will go a long way in his game.

The Bills started Jordan Phillips ahead of Oliver against the Redskins last week for the first time this season. Phillips has pushed the issue with his disruptive play, recording six sacks during this season, leading the Bills. Fresh off of a defensive effort in which the Bills gave up over 200 rushing yards on the ground to Philadelphia, something needed to change in the interior of the Bills line.

Against the Redskins, Oliver played his fewest snaps in a game in his young career. However, there’s no need to even consider that the rookie is not living up to his billing as a top-ten pick.

Head coach Sean McDermott recognizes that the transition to the NFL game can take some time.

“Ed is a young player that has to continue to develop. That comes down to going through his process during the week. I think Ed would tell you, if not the same, about the same,” McDermott said.

The coach also saw Phillips’ productivity trumped Oliver’s potential in the middle.

“It’s not necessarily what he hasn’t done, it’s more what Jordan has done. And then, about Ed’s development at this point,” McDermott said.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier also saw that giving Oliver a bit of a respite could pay dividends. It would fall in line with what occurred with quarterback Josh Allen last year, as some time away from the field due to injury allowed him to refocus his energies and return tot he field with a greater purpose.

“I think taking a step back like we did yesterday giving Jordan a start … It will give Ed a chance to have a different perspective. I don’t think it’ll put a detour in his progress. It should help him as we go along because he’s around a lot of guys that can really learn from and he’s been learning from in practice. And now, without the demands of having to go out and start every game, not that he won’t necessarily get back in the starting lineup – hopefully it’s going to improve his play,” Frazier said.

“(Oliver) has done a really good job for us. To come in and contribute the way he has through these first eight games, it’s been a gradual improvement for him,” Frazier added.

Teammate Micah Hyde believes that Oliver will work some things out moving forward.

“He’ll be good. Every rookie goes through growing pains, no matter if you’re first overall pick or not,” Hyde told NYUP. “Every rookie goes through growing pains – I did. You learn hard lessons. But at the end of the day you need to get better from it and that’s exactly what he’ll do. He’s a tough guy, mentally.”

Oliver may not start every game going forward. However, with the way McDermott and Frazier rotate players on the defensive line, the rookie is due to have ample opportunities to make his mark for the remainder of the season.