Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 1

Round 1: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston – 6-3, 292 lbs. (Listed)

• 94 solo tackles (8.4 percent), 39 tackles for loss (21.6 percent), 10.5 sacks (20.1 percent), 4 pass deflections in his first two seasons.

Ed Oliver is going to be one of the most discussed players in the entire draft classes for a number of reasons. First is the question of how much he actually weighs. His program weight might say 292, but no one believes it — and people aren’t even sure he’s 280 pounds. Hopefully, he finishes the season healthy and is able to roll right into training for the combine and continue to add weight, so that he’s closer to 285 or higher.

Oliver’s size and weight could impact how he’s viewed and where he plays. If he’s closer to 290 pounds, he can play a true 3-tech. If he’s closer to 280, he might be better served to play at a 4i or 5-tech.

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Second, Oliver is a dominant force, but people knock him for playing at the University of Houston as opposed to playing at a Power-5 school where he’s going against top competition more consistently. In his first collegiate game ever, he was a disruptive playmaker against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma. He also dominated a game against Louisville and Lamar Jackson. Both went on to win the Heisman Trophy.

The third issue disputed is just where he is in his technique and polish. Maybe he’s got work to do with his hands and shedding, but the fact he’s so disruptive and such a problem already mean that with better technique and hand use, he’s only going to get better at the next level. Currently, he plays nose for the Cougars and he constantly sees double and even a few triple teams.

Finally are the sheer number of tantalizing defensive line prospects that should be available at the drop of the draft including but not limited to Olver, Quinnen Williams from Alabama, Nick Bosa and Dre’Mont Jones from Ohio State and Clellin Ferrell and Chrstian Wilkins from Clemson. It remains to be seen who will separate themselves as the elite of this group, but in the meantime there will be plenty of discussion about them.

What’s not up for debate is just how freaky Oliver is as an athlete or his all-world production. His first step, overall speed and his agility and incredible. Combine that with the power he’s able to generate and he’s just a physical marvel. His stamina and motor are also incredible as he chases down plays like a linebacker.

Putting that on a defensive line next on a defensive line with guys like Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Emmanuel Ogbah and Genard Avery seems unfair, but that is the opportunity the Browns have and where he ultimately lines up seems relatively unimportant. Line him up and let him dominate up front. Oliver, like Garrett two years ago, doesn’t turn 21 until December, so he may not even be done growing.