Buffalo Bills: Projecting big things from Ed Oliver in 2019
The end of the NFL Draft means it is time for early rookie projections. Buffalo Bills fans are hoping for a big year from the No. 9 overall pick.
The Buffalo Bills decided upon the easiest, and the proper, option in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
It was almost shocking that Ed Oliver fell to No. 9 overall. Alas, the Bills were the beneficiary and he is now a cherished member of the franchise.
If not for a few injuries and some odd character concerns, Oliver could have easily gone at the top of the draft. That is why he is being projected to do great things in 2019.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter recently published his 2019 All-Rookie team projection and Oliver shows up at defensive tackle. The other DT listed is Greg Gaines, who was a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams.
This projection makes sense given Oliver’s potential and the way he dominated in college. Expectations may change once the games begin but this means, at least on paper, the Bills made the right decision with the No. 9 overall selection. It is always nice when a pick is made and there is a general consensus that it was a good idea. No reaching and no nonsense.
This continues a trend for the Bills. Oliver was the top pick in 2019 and is on the defensive line. 2018 saw the Bills take Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker a year after cornerback Tre’Davious White was taken with the team’s first pick. Though he was not picked by Brandon Beane.
The team has built a great defense and would have been great without Oliver in town. Now that he is here the unit should only get better and won’t be gassed on the field as much now that Josh Allen is in his second year and Nathan Peterman is out of town.
Next. Reviewing the entire 2019 draft class. dark
White and Edmunds have had solid starts to their respective careers. Hopefully the trio of White-Edmunds-Oliver can be the franchise-changing foundation in Buffalo for the next decade.