The New Orleans Saints will host former Houston Cougars draft prospect Ed Oliver on a visit before the 2019 NFL Draft, per Jane Slater of NFL Network. Oliver is an elite prospect in this year’s draft and is expected to picked high in the first round; he has other visits scheduled with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, and Buffalo Bills, per Slater’s report.
So, why are the Saints using one of their few hosting visits in New Orleans (each team is allowed to fly in 30 prospects to meet privately in their facilities) on someone they have no shot at drafting? With their first pick slotted in at 62, they would have to give up a king’s ransom to have a shot at bagging Oliver.
Teams don’t always use these visits to scout players they plan on adding. It’s also an opportunity to get a close look at someone they might see again later on down the road — potentially if the prospect joins a rival. With Oliver visiting the Falcons (who are scheduled to make their first pick at 14), it’s possible Atlanta manages to trade up and get him.
That’s a fascinating proposition. Oliver was one of the best defensive linemen in the country, and tested like an upper-shelf athlete at Houston’s pro day. Even if he’s on the smaller side for a defensive tackle (6-foot-1 7/8, 287 pounds) guys of that build have done well in the NFL. If the Saints think there’s a chance he lines up against them someday soon, hosting him in New Orleans to get a closer look makes sense. It’s simply giving Oliver their due diligence.
