The Arizona Cardinals have the first pick in the NFL draft but are doing homework about several top draft prospects. Perhaps they think they might trade back or perhaps they are considering a surprise with the first pick.
As the Cardinals continue their predraft homework, among their 30 official visits will be Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver. According to Mark Berman, the sports director at FOX26 in Houston, the Cardinals are one of 10 teams he will have private visits with in the coming days and weeks.
Oliver was a dominant force from the defensive interior at Houston. Coming into the 2018 season, many even considered him a candidate for the first overall pick in the draft.
That talk has cooled, but Oliver put up big numbers. In three seasons with Houston, he amassed 13 sacks and 53 tackles for loss.
He is disruptive and incredibly athletic. At 6-2 and 287 pounds, he had a 36-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot broad jump. At his pro day, he added a 4.73-second 40-yard dash, a 7.15-second three-cone and 4.22-second 20-yards shuttle.
His athletic marks put him among the highest percentages among defensive interior linemen, edge rushers and even off-the-ball linebackers.
The Cardinals have a glaring need at defensive tackle and Oliver potentially would improve that group immediately. If they can trade back a few spots, Oliver might be a huge bargain of a pick, and if they stay at No. 1, he still should warrant consideration.
He is on the Cardinals’ radar and would be a very intriguing addition to Vance Joseph’s defense.
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