2019 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects entering NFL Combine

Coming into the season, Houston’s Ed Oliver looked like a lock to be a Top 5 pick, with many thinking he would be in contention to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft. Fairly or unfairly, Oliver has dropped down draft boards due to some perceived character concerns stemming from his rocky relationship with former Houston head coach Major Applewhite.

Oliver didn’t give the most consistent effort during his junior season with the Cougars, and missed a chunk of time due to a knee injury, with some alleging that he might have been sitting out while healthy to preserve his draft stock.

Regardless of what you think about his motor, the stats don’t lie, and Oliver was one of the most productive players in college football over the last three years.

Despite facing constant double and triple teams, Oliver had an insane 53 tackles-for-loss over his 32 game career at Houston, including 13.5 sacks. Even in what many considered a down year in 2018, Oliver managed 14.5 tackles-for-loss in the eight games he played in.

Oliver has seen his stock fall over the last few months, but he’s far too talented to slip too far, and I think having him as the No. 10 overall prospect is probably going to look foolish next season.

Strong pre-draft workouts could push Oliver back into the Top 10, with the Giants, Lions, and Bills all potentially being suitors for him. If he falls outside of the The Top 10, I find it difficult to believe he will get past the Falcons at No. 14.