2019 NFL Mock Draft: Packers address defense, Bills get offensive weapon

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 04: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars celebrates after a tackle in the first half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at TDECU Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

5. Detroit Lions: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Since the loss of Ndamukong Suh, the Detroit Lions have been sorely lacking up front. That’s not to say that Suh has been a revelation since leaving the Motor City, but rather that Detroit has been lacking immensely without him up front. What’s worse, the Lions losing Suh isn’t exactly something that just happened last year — it’s been quite a while since they’ve had a force up front, but Ed Oliver can be that guy.

While Oliver’s biggest concern is his size, his tape shows a player who that won’t effect. He has unreal explosiveness and use of leverage up the middle at defensive tackle and is a true unstoppable force with how he can generate pressure up front. He’d be a game-changer for Matt Patricia’s defense.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took two cornerbacks in the mid rounds last year and yes they have plenty of other needs. However, the Bucs are also a team that’s in a position where they need to snatch up the best defensive talent available to them if they can and Byron Murphy is currently the best player on the board, the No. 1 cornerback in my book for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Murphy has risen up boards throughout the 2018 season, but for good reason. The Washington Huskies product has solid length to his game — if not being a little slight-framed — but can do whatever is asked of him in coverage, be it zone or man, given his physical tools and instincts. For a Bucs secondary that has been searching for stars and answers for some time now, Murphy can be the one to change their fortunes.

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