2019 NFL Draft big board: Wild Card-round edition

7 of 11

HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 8: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars warms up before playing against the Arizona Wildcats at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /

Niner Noise Big Board Top 5

No. 5: Ed Oliver, Defensive Tackle, Houston

Ed Oliver is a victim of this defensive draft class, as his lack of length and being slightly undersized condemns an otherwise impressive player to be only the second best defensive tackle of the class, at best.

Oliver is in all an impressive player. Insanely talented, athletic and with a great football IQ, Oliver can play against the run and the pass in a 4-3 and, were the 49ers picking a few spots lower, it would make a lot of sense to put him in red and gold.

You can only call him elite at pass rushing and defending the run, and plays the game with an athletic-yet-angry mindset that makes him very difficult to block. He’s powerful, too, and plays with a relentless motor.

The question is how much will being slightly lacking in size and length hurt Oliver? I think he’s still a shot to go as high as No. 3, and could easily be a top five pick.

So in short, not that much.