NFL Draft 2019: 10 Players that will dominate conversation

8. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

There’s arguably no better defensive tackle in the country than Houston’s Ed Oliver. He’s a true gap penetrator with a great first step and  elite quickness. Oliver’s 16.5 tackles for loss as a true sophomore ranks No. 1 among returning underclass defensive lineman. As a true freshman, Oliver also dominated opposing backfield with 20 tackles for loss.

Over the last two seasons, he’s racked up 5.0 and 5.5 sacks as freshman and sophomore, respectively. It’s hard to imagine that he has room to grow, but he does. Oliver doesn’t always get his hands up. Moreover, he doesn’t display raw power to anchor against the run and can sometimes play too high. However, that’s where his weaknesses end. 

The 6-3, nearly 300-pounder is a true three technique gap penetrator. The reason he’s able to rack up so many big plays behind the line is, largely, his football IQ. Oliver understands how to use the swim move effectively. He gets skinny and knifes through line, effectively splitting double teams. Oliver also utilizes the rip move and has a solid spin move in his arsenal. 

The best thing about Oliver, however, is his relentless motor that allowed him to make plays after chasing down ball-carriers. He has also has good flexibility and he’s a great athlete, which aids in his ability to stunt. Moreover, Oliver has a number of batted passes and looks great when he moves in space. Oliver is an ideal fit for teams looking for a pass rush 3-technique.