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2019 NFL Draft: Three potential surprise No. 1 overall picks

By Joel Deering

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/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)
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) /

1. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Before the start of the draft process, Ed Oliver was widely considered a sure fire top five pick in this draft. There were even several mock drafts having Oliver going first overall. To no fault of his own, Oliver’s draft stock has taken a hit.

Oliver’s draft stock falling has been one of the most interesting stories about this draft to me. You hear concerns about teams not knowing where he fits along a defensive line, but then you also hear him being compared to Aaron Donald, who’s the best defensive player in the NFL.

So what is he? Is he a guy who doesn’t fit, or is he the next great defensive player? I’m leaning more towards the great defensive player. Call me crazy, but I even think there’s a good chance Oliver will be a better NFL player than Nick Bosa.

Bosa has been heavily mocked to the Cardinals because of his ability to rush the passer from the edge. That’s great and all, but the Cardinals already have an elite edge rusher in Chandler Jones. He totaled 13.0 sacks last season.

How many sacks did the Cardinals get from their interior defensive line last season? 11.5 sacks, and that was from three different players. The Cardinals don’t need an elite edge rusher, they need an elite interior defender. Oliver may have had just 13.5 sacks in three seasons at Houston, but he also had 53.0 tackles for loss during that time. That tells me he knows how to be disruptive from the inside and get in the backfield.

With Ed Oliver on the interior defensive line for the Cardinals, everything would free up for Chandler Jones and company on the edges. If the Cardinals can see that, and they believe Oliver really can be the next Aaron Donald, don’t be surprised if he’s taken No. 1 overall.

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