Ed Oliver, DT, Houston #10

6015, 290, 4.92

Notes: Passed on scholarship offers from Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Notre Dame to remain near family. Houston native (Westfield HS) who made immediate impact as a true freshman, with 66 tackles, 5 sacks, 23 TFL, 3 FF and 9 PBU in 2016. Added 73 stops, 5.5 sacks, 16.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR, 3 PBU in 2017. Announced his intention to enter the 2019 NFL Draft coming into the 2018 season.

Positives: Disruptive interior player. Rare first-step quickness and explosiveness. Excellent lateral movement skills and hustle in downfield pursuit. Outstanding instincts and awareness. Consistently anticipates the snap count and can defeat blockers off the ball. Routinely shoots gaps and penetrates the backfield and gets upfield. Exceptional strength and explosive power. Quick, strong hands. Very agile and nimble; moves like a big sideline-to-sideline classic MLB at times. Can win with finesse or power and plays with every-down intensity. Out-quicks blockers at times, but can bull-rush and overpower too. Makes tackles on backside pursuit and will transition from rushing the passer to chasing down the field. Durable and consistent. Comes from a well-grounded, hard-working family.

Negatives: Less-than-ideal height and mass. Only modest sack production to this point. Still room to improve with pass-rush technique and skills.

Summary: Immediate impact player in any scheme, but ideal fit as an ‘under’ tackle in a 4-3. Reminds me of Sheldon Richardson coming out, but with less off-field baggage. First overall pick level talent.