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With the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select…

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – OCTOBER 20: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars looks on after the Houston Cougars defeated the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – OCTOBER 20: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars looks on after the Houston Cougars defeated the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

2. DT Ed Oliver, Houston

Ed Oliver is a different type of player than Nick Bosa. Oliver doesn’t tally as many sacks as Bosa and may not be a better pass rusher, but he is a solid all around player.

Although Oliver hasn’t racked up huge sack numbers, his tackles for loss numbers are impressive. Oliver had 22.0 tackles for loss in 2016, 16.5 in 2017 and 13.5 through seven games in 2018.

With the three first-round picks the Raiders have in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jon Gruden could choose to pass on the best pass rusher and target Oliver, who might be the best overall player.

Oliver has drawn comparisons to DT Aaron Donald, who is once again dominating the NFL. If Gruden thinks he’s getting an Aaron Donald type player, he may pull the trigger. Gruden could then use his later first-round picks to draft another top pass rusher.

Is it possible Gruden could package the other two first-round picks to move up and select both Nick Bosa and Ed Oliver? It’s unlikely, but possible. He should at least try if he wants to build a championship defense. This defense needs all the help it can get.

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