Denver Broncos 2019 mock draft: Making the pass rush scarier

First round: Ed Oliver, DL, Houston

Why would the Broncos draft Oliver?

Let me start off by saying this idea came up as I was in the process of putting together a full first-round mock draft for NFLMocks.com (keep an eye out for that later). As we were going through the first seven picks, it became apparent that Oliver going in the top 3-5 picks was not a foregone conclusion.

Last year even in the days leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, the idea of Bradley Chubb falling to the fifth overall pick was completely ‘unrealistic’. There was no way Chubb was going to drop past the Browns at four until he did.

Oliver has been limited in his junior season due to injury, but his talent is undeniable and he has such a strong work ethic. Some people are concerned with him over his size but Oliver has shown some Aaron Donald-like qualities in his college career and looks like a future superstar.

Putting Oliver as the three technique with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb on the outside would make the Broncos’ pass rush even more terrifying than it already is, but Oliver is also a good player against the run.

If he’s available when the Broncos are on the clock in round one, they would almost have to make that selection.