Holliday was drafted 19th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers - coincidentally with a pick acquired from Holliday's future team, the Miami Dolphins. He had an impressive rookie season, compiling 52 tackles (34 solo), a franchise rookie record 8 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 5 pass deflections in 12 games. In the , Holliday recorded a sack against Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers. For his performance in 1998, Holliday was a consensus all-rookie selection and finished second behind Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson for AP's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.