2019 NFL Draft: Projecting way-too-early top 5 prospects

Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver made history when he declared for the NFL Draft – the 2019 NFL Draft – in March of 2018. Oliver just finished his sophomore season, and while he wouldn’t be the first player who had made up his mind about his NFL future, he’s the first to come out and make that information public.

There’s good reason for Oliver to be this blunt. He has an excellence chance to be the first overall pick next year. The 6-foot-3, 290 pound mauler in the trenches has 38.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks in two seasons with the Cougars. He’s also forced four fumbles and knocked down nine passes.

There hasn’t been a defensive tackle taken No. 1 overall since 1994 when Dan Wilkinson from Ohio State was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive tackles typically don’t have the same positional value as an edge rusher or quarterback, but Oliver may be the exception to the rule. Even if he doesn’t go No. 1, he still could be the best player in this class.

Next: Way-too-early college football top 25 rankings for 2018

Oliver has already made his decision and there’s no turning back. Barring unforseen circumstances there’s little double he’s going to hear his name called in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.