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2019 NFL Draft: 5 players who could fall in the first round

By Kelly Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State in action during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State in action during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – OCTOBER 20: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars gets around center Ford Higgins #72 of the Navy Midshipmen during a college football game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – OCTOBER 20: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars gets around center Ford Higgins #72 of the Navy Midshipmen during a college football game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

3) Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Oliver was projected as a surefire top 10 pick last year, if only he had been allowed to enter the draft. All of the reasons why are outlined in this incredible write-up.

But NFL teams are becoming more and more hesitant to draft players with any attitude/off-field issues, and #JacketGate qualifies for some. It doesn’t register on the radar because of the incident itself, but rather with how Oliver reacted to it when confronted by his head coach.

As with Sweat, teams may have taken a risk in nearly every other draft. The Houston product’s talent alone may merit top 10 selection…any other year.

But, the hulking defensive tackle chose the wrong year to have any questions surrounding him. Oliver magnified the sideline snafu with having a (relatively) down year in his senior season, notching 29 tackles and three sacks over eight games for the Cougars. Ins hort, there are simply too many players teams can rank similarly enough to push him down.

Make no mistake, Oliver is almost certain to be a first-round selection. But, the dreams of being taken in the top 10 appear to be murky at best.

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