2019 NFL Draft: Matching top prospects with Marvel’s Avengers
By Ryan Roberts
Ant Man: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The pint-sized superhero Ant Man has been on a quest for validation amongst his peers in the Marvel Universe. The same can be said for former Houston Cougar defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who has been critically underrated since an overstated mid-season sideline outburst with then Cougars head coach Major Applewhite.
The offseason has even shown another commonality between Scott Lang and the surefire 2019 NFL Draft first-round selection: the ability to change sizes. It was largely known that Oliver had played during these past seasons at Houston far closer to 270 pounds, contrary to the 287 he showed up weighing at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Just two weeks following the event, he had then shed about six pounds to make it down to 281. The latter was, of course, to blow up his pro day testing, which he did.
Aside from this uncanny ability to change sizes, Oliver is unnaturally strong for a man of his size, finishing with 32 reps on the bench at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. With his combine and pro day testing in the books, Oliver has recaptured his status amongst the 2019 NFL Draft elite, where he had begun the 2018 season. With eyes towards future success, Ed Oliver was an easy choice as a member of my personal Avengers.
Rocket Raccoon: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Since the addition of the Guardians of the Galaxy to Marvel’s blockbuster hits, the playful banter of everyone’s favorite nocturnal mammal, Rocket Raccoon, has provided the viewers with constant laughs and thirst for action-packed fight sequences. The compact character boasts a tiny frame while always sporting a powerful gun. Sounds eerily similar to the presumed first overall selection and top quarterback, Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray.
The former No. 6 overall selection of the Oakland A’s in the 2018 MLB Draft, Murray appears finally fully committed to his NFL career. He famously measured in just north of 5-10 at last month’s 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, going from the shortest potential first-round quarterback ever to…potentially the shortest first-round quarterback ever.
Despite this size, Murray has one of the more talented/powerful arm in this years draft class. But who cares about the 2019 NFL Draft right now right? I’m just trying to spearhead the biggest redemption story in cinematic history. Grab your gun, little fella — it is time to work!