Buffalo Bills Select Ed Oliver

The Buffalo Bills have selected Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Although there were rumors of trading up and down in the draft, they decided to stay put and take the elite defensive tackle

Oliver was an elite prospect coming out of high school, bringing in offers from schools such as Alabama, LSU, and Texas. He committed to the University of Houston, a non-power five school, and was the first five star in history to do so.

Oliver had a spectacular collegiate career. He was regarded as one of the best defensive linemen in the country as a true freshman in 2016, and continued to be through 2018. He has 192 career tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 53.0 tackles for loss. He was a three-time First-team All-American, 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 2016 ACC Freshman of the Year, and 2017 Outland Trophy winner.

Oliver has compared to players such as Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and former All-Pro defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry. This pick comes after losing veteran defensive tackle and heart & soul of the Bills Kyle Williams this offseason after 14 seasons. Oliver looks to fix a gaping whole in this Bills’ defense.