NFL mock draft if underclassmen were eligible: Trevor Lawrence goes No. 1

NFL mock draft if underclassmen were eligible: Trevor Lawrence goes No. 1, Tua in top 5

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 02, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

24. Raiders (via Chicago Bears) – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

A lot can change in a year and Ed Oliver is living proof of just that. All season, it appeared like Oliver would contend to be one of the top picks, if not the top pick in the draft. Oliver was a dominating presence in the middle of Houston’s defensive line as a freshman and sophomore where he feasted on inferior competition. During his overwhelming seasons where he received All-AAC honors, questions about his lack of size were overlooked due to his impressive play.

However, after a season that was largely lost due to an injury and sitting out games to prevent the injury from getting worse and tanking his draft stock, and an infamous blow-up with his head coach Major Applewhite over a winter coat, has done just that, and torpedoed his draft stock.

Still, this feels like a tremendous value to get Oliver at this point in this draft. The Raiders have three picks in the first round, so they can afford to roll the dice on Oliver’s talent and the belief that at just under 6-2 and 287 pounds, he can develop into an Aaron Donald type player at best or a Geno Atkins type player at worst. That’s still a darn good player.

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