The Bills have started inviting prospects to their pre-draft visits, and one name that jumps off the page is defensive lineman Ed Oliver.
Now that the dust is settling on a hectic first week of free agency, it’s time to start looking forward to the draft. Each team is allowed to schedule up to 30 pre-draft visits. The visits cannot include on the field work or testing; but it can include a physical exam, interviews, and either written or whiteboard testing.
Both of Buffalo’s first-round picks from last year, Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds, came into these visits.
In the case for the Bills, local school University at Buffalo has three prospects that would be in consideration of being drafted by the Bills; quarterback Tyree Jackson, wide receiver Anthony Johnson, and linebacker Khalil Hodge.
The #Bills will be hosting #Houston DT Ed Oliver, a potential top 10 pick, on a top-30 pre-draft visit per source. #BillsMafia
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) March 17, 2019
However, the first big name that the Bills are going to reportedly schedule a visit with is defensive lineman Ed Oliver. The Houston product is projected to be a top-15 pick in the draft, and the Bills select at nine.
Oliver was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and lived up to that during his time at Houston. He is the ideal three-technique in a 4-3 defense.
In his three seasons as a Cougar, he recorded 192 total tackles, 53 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Oliver is best off the snap with a quick first step and ability to throw the offensive lineman off. He has elite penetration ability and is always seems to find his way into the backfield. His size is the concern moving up into the NFL, as he is considered undersized at 6-foot-2’ and 290 pounds.
He would be able to fill into Kyle Williams’s old position where there is a little more freedom to move around and shot the gaps. Currently, the Bills have Jordan Phillips as their only real three-technique lineman, but they have a solid mix with Star Lotulelei and fane favorite Harrison Phillips in the rotation.
The Bills also have an invite out for Maxx Crosby. Crosby is a defensive lineman from Eastern Michigan. He is more of a developmental player in the later rounds of the draft, but someone to still keep an eye on.
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