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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Jets have edge, Browns get defensive in two-round projection

By Randy Gurzi

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats plays against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Commonwealth Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats plays against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Commonwealth Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 01: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars celebrates after the tackle of Austin Walter #2 of the Rice Owls in the first half at Rice Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 01: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars celebrates after the tackle of Austin Walter #2 of the Rice Owls in the first half at Rice Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

4. Oakland Raiders: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

The Oakland Raiders will be the No. 1 focus in the 2019 NFL Draft as they own three picks in the opening round. They added the extra selections from the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears in their highly-publicized trades that sent Amari Cooper to the Cowboys and Khalil Mack to the Bears.

On one hand, it was understandable what they were doing. Yes, it’s hard to let good talent walk, but head coach Jon Gruden is clearly of the belief that the Raiders needed to be torn down and remodeled. In doing so, he gave up the players he could get the best return on investment from. The bad news is it also opened up some pretty big holes.

While they could consider filling either of those empty slots here, the Raiders instead look to another spot that can use some work — defensive tackle. And they get themselves a great player as Ed Oliver is their pick. The defensive tackle out of Houston was a player expected to be in the mix for being the first player off the board but slides a bit due to the ascension of Quinnen Williams.

As for Oliver, he did nothing to fall behind Williams as he’s still an absolute monster on the defensive line. This was just a simple case of the Alabama D-tackle blowing everyone away with his play. Oakland is happy with how things worked out as they land an interior defender that can greatly improve the defensive line for them.

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