Big shoes to fill: Replacing 2019 NFL Draft first round picks

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young (2) reacts after getting the sack against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten championship game on December 1, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 04: Javon Thomas #22 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane is tackled for a loss by Aymiel Fleming #50 of the Houston Cougars and Emeke Egbule #8 in the first half at TDECU Stadium on October 4, 2018, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Aymiel Fleming – Houston

Replacing: Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills

From the moment that Ed Oliver stepped on campus ready to play for the Houston Cougars, it was clear that he was a star. As a freshman, the explosive defensive tackle amassed 65 total tackles, 22 tackles for a loss and five sacks. He followed that up with 73 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a sophomore. Unfortunately, injuries (and likely caution to protect his draft stock) limited him to eight games in 2018.

Even in just those eight games, not all of which featured him at full health, Oliver was still a monster. Despite facing double teams an excessive amount of the time, the big fella still put up 54 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and three sacks over the course of eight games. It’s no wonder the Bills were quick to nab him with the ninth overall pick.

For Houston, however, the task of replacing Oliver is next to impossible. Despite the success of the program, they don’t often see players with the unreal talent that the defensive tackle possesses coming through. It’s likely that the Cougars have recognized this, which could be part of the reasoning behind a switch to a 4-3 base defense starting in 2019.

The result is that there won’t be a one-for-one replacement for Oliver for Houston, largely because trying to do so would be a fool’s errand. Having said that, Aymiel Fleming, who saw spot work last season in relief of Oliver, will be expected to make a big leap and take up the bulk of the onus in the team effort to deal with losing Oliver.

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