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As the dust settles after an exciting and dramatic 2018 NFL Draft, attention turns to next year’s proceeding when teams will once again select top college talent to bolster their rosters. Next years draft will feature a number of can’t miss prospects on both sides of the ball, particularly on the defensive line and, like this year, at the Quarterback position.
Here are the players that could conceivably go first overall next April.
Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
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The 2019 draft has the potential to be an all-timer in terms of defensive line talent. Houston’s Oliver, who has been a star since he stepped on the field as a freshman, is one of half a dozen or so d-lineman that could conceivably be selected first. Oliver has gained attention from scouts thanks to freakish athleticism and production in his two years as a cougar. In his college career so far he has recorded 138 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, a staggering 38.5(!) tackles for loss, nine pass deflections and four forced fumbles. Oliver appears to be a can’t miss prospect along the lines of Ndamukong Suh, Jadaveon Clowney and Gerald McCoy.
As of today, Todd McShay projects him as the top player in next year’s draft.
Nick Bosa, DL, Ohio State
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Younger brother of San Diego Chargers star Joey Bosa, defensive end Nick Bosa is another clear-cut candidate to be selected first in the 2019 draft. There are some who say that Nick could be even better than his older brother, which would be no small feat, as Joey is an all-pro caliber talent that transformed the Charger defense this past year. In his two years at Ohio State, Nick has recorded 13.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss, not quite as impressive as Joey was in his first two years at Ohio State, but it’s gotten the job done.
Nick has a rare combination of finesse and strength, and with an outstanding junior year could very well land himself in the first overall position, becoming the second Bosa in the league like the Watt brothers before them.
