NFL Draft 2019: Bills hit home run with Houston’s Ed Oliver

The Buffalo Bills took a risk taking Josh Allen a year ago in the NFL Draft’s first round, but how do we feel about the selection of Houston’s Ed Oliver?

Buffalo made a huge franchise pick last year in the first round with Wyoming’s Josh Allen and he had an up-and-down rookie season but the Bills made another interesting pick in Houston’s Ed Oliver.

The junior defensive tackle decided after his sophomore year that 2018 would be his last season in college, declaring for the draft earlier than most kids do. He was talked about as a potential No. 1 overall selection but had a roller-coaster of a season in 2018 as the Cougars had a tumultuous campaign which led to Major Applewhite’s departure.

Some questioned his motor, but he played well in the eight games he appeared in, recording 54 tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Over his three-year career with the Cougars, he finished with 53 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks which is an impressive line considering he plays on the interior of the defensive line. He’ll provide an immediate boost to that Buffalo defensive line. He’s incredibly strong in the middle and finished his career with 192 total tackles, so he always seems to be in the right place.

Oliver has a knack for getting to the ball-carrier and can penetrate the offensive line at an elite level with his 6-3, 292-pound frame.

The Bills hit a home run with this pick and fans should be ecstatic about the young core of Allen and now Oliver, leading both sides of the ball.

Grade: A-