By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills officially put to bed the biggest rumor surrounding their 2019 NFL first-round draft pick at No. 9 overall.
Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been long connected to the Bills through various mock drafts. General manager Brandon Beane has repeatedly stated that he would draft the best player available, and arguably that player fell into the lap of the Bills.
Furthermore, Sean McDermott values flexibility on his defense. Thus, a player such as Oliver can be used in multiple roles for the former defensive coordinator.
Oliver, a back-to-back consensus All-American, dominated AAC opponents all year. While he is a bit lighter than a traditional NFL defensive tackles playing at around 280 pounds. Oliver’s explosiveness overwhelmed opposing offensive lines.
In three seasons, Oliver recorded 54 tackles for loss. In addition, he registered 14.5 careers sacks and 193 tackles.
Oliver immediately moves to the top of the depth chart for the interior of the Bills defensive line at the spot that Kyle Williams left vacant at the three-tech spot. The junior’s impact will be visible with his penetration on opposing quarterbacks.
Additionally, Oliver will benefit all players around him.
Offensive linemen will have to account for Oliver in a similar way to Aaron Donald. We’re not saying Oliver is Donald, but teams have not had to plan for a player with the attacking ability of the Houston product. Now, teams must do so when squaring off against Buffalo.
Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes should see some more space along the edge. Buffalo can use even more sophisticated blitz packages, as Oliver can get up-field in a hurry. In particular, he attacks the gaps of opponents’ lines with ease.
Tremaine Edmunds, a 2018 first-round pick for the Buffalo, will also see a bump in his production due to the players that Oliver will command. Star Lotulelei can take on multiple blockers, being the main space eater in the middle. Oliver will take on blocks as well, leaving Edmunds to roam free during his second season in the heart of the Bills defense.
Increased pressure can only benefit the Bills’ secondary. Buffalo struggled to produce consistent pressure on quarterbacks last year. This selection helps to remedy the issue.
Overall, this is a stellar pick by the Bills’ front office. They can take a potential game-changer who will help support everyone else on the defensive side of the ball. Buffalo’s defense did well last year. This pick indicates that they have the potential to make a major step forward among the league’s best overall defenses.