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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Odell Beckham trade throws first round into chaos

By John Mitchell

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25:Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants leaves the field after losing 22-25 to the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25:Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants leaves the field after losing 22-25 to the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

44. . DT. Houston. Ed Oliver. 14. player

This would seem to be the most obvious pick of the first round, and has been for quite some time. If Houston’s Ed Oliver is on the board when the Falcons pick at No.14, I can’t imagine a scenario in which they would pass on him for anyone else. Oliver is a Top-10, maybe even Top-5, talent in this draft class and would fill Atlanta’s biggest position of need. It’s a no brainer.

The Falcons used the franchise tag on Grady Jarrett, but the need remains for a player alongside him up front to help improve a run defense that ranked 25th in the NFL last season.

Oliver comes with his share of baggage, but I’ve long thought that most of the negatives around him have been overblown, particularly his heated argument with his head coach Major Applewhite in a game that Oliver was sitting out for injury.

Oliver was hyper productive during his time at Houston, despite always being the focal point of opposing offensive gameplans and constantly facing double and triple teams. He still managed 53 tackles-for-loss in his 32-game collegiate career.

The Falcons have a roster good enough to get back into NFC contention next season if they can fix the defensive woes that plagued them all season long. Atlanta was hit with a lot of injuries on that side of the ball last season, but the unit regressed all the way down to 31st in defensive DVOA, and never seemed to be able to make a play when it needed to.

The pieces are in place offensively, which places the onus squarely on Dan Quinn to get the defense figured out in time to take advantage of their current window with Matt Ryan under center.

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