2019 NFL Mock Draft: Redskins, Patriots trade up in at-the-buzzer projection
Trade! Atlanta Falcons trade No. 14, No. 79 and 2020 third-round pick to Buffalo Bills for No. 9
9. Atlanta Falcons (via Bills): Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
When Ed Oliver’s stock was narrowly dropping him out of the top 10 picks, many thought that the Atlanta Falcons would be all over that at No. 14. However, the Houston Cougars standout killed his pro day workout and has now vaulted back into his rightful position as a top-10 prospect. As such, if Atlanta wants him, they’re going to have to trade up. And with rumors swirling that they may do so, that’s what happens in this mock draft.
Trading No. 14 along with their third-rounders both this year and next year, the Falcons get to No. 9 and take Oliver. Even though the Falcons have Grady Jarrett under the franchise tag for 2019, there is no certainty about his long-term future in Atlanta. Regardless of that, though, Oliver is a game-changer up the middle with unreal explosiveness and pass-rush ability on the interior. He’s a dream for a creative defensive mind like Dan Quinn and slots in perfectly to boost Atlanta’s defense.
10. Denver Broncos: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
The starting middle linebackers for the Denver Broncos, if the season started today, would be Josey Jewell and Todd Davis. Though there is uncertainty now in the secondary, this is a team that is going to have to win with defense now that Joe Flacco is at the helm, limiting the ceiling of their offense. Rather than take Flacco’s eventual replacement, they improve that defense by adding Devin Bush to bolster that linebacker group.
Bush is an absolute force in the middle of the field, flying all over the field with great instincts and athleticism to make plays sideline-to-sideline. He needs polish in his coverage abilities, but the athletic tools are there for him to develop in that regard. Putting that type of player in the middle of this defense will give the Broncos a much better chance of getting back to their defensive roots under the watch of new head coach Vic Fangio.