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2019 NFL Draft Combine: Top 10 Players to Watch

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners approaches the stands after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners approaches the stands after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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heisman trophy, 2019 NFL Mock Draft
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Houston’s Ed Oliver entered the season firmly in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. Nagging injuries and some character concerns mounted during the season, and have caused Oliver’s draft stock to slip, with many pundits placing him in the mid-first-round range heading into the combine.

That should change this week at the combine as Oliver likely puts on a show in the individual drills, potentially threatening to break records for his position in numerous categories. Oliver is one of the most athletic defensive tackle prospects in recent memory, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his numbers rival linebackers more than his peers on the interior of the defensive line.

He’s likely to run a blazing 40-yard dash, while showcasing his excellent lateral agility in the three-cone shuffle and several other on-field drills that put his athleticism on full display. I expect a big week on the field for Oliver.

What will be potentially even more poignant for him, however, is how he comes off in interviews after concerns about his character were brought up after a heated confrontation with then-Houston head coach Major Applewhite in a game this past season.

I think those concerns are mostly overblown and I can’t imagine a talent as great as his falling too far in the first round. He was insanely productive during his Houston career, racking up 53 tackles-for-loss over 32 games with the Cougars despite constantly having to fight off double-and-triple teams each and every game. Imagine how much havoc he might wreck in the NFL without constantly facing two or three blockers.

I expect a big week from Oliver that solidifies his status as a Top-10 pick. Interior disruptives with his potential have proven to be too valuable in recent seasons for him to drop much further than that.

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