Ed Oliver wants to play with Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns could be looking to draft a defensive tackle in the 2019 NFL Draft, and Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver believes he would fit well with Myles Garrett.

The Cleveland Browns could go a variety of directions in the 2019 NFL Draft when they are put on the clock with the 17th overall selection.

There is a belief that the Browns will be targeting a defensive tackle with their first selection in the draft. Browns general manager John Dorsey said at the Combine that the defensive line is the strength of the class.

One of the top defensive linemen in the draft class, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, thinks that he would be able to pair well with Browns defensive end Myles Garrett if he is drafted by Cleveland.

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Oliver’s athleticism has made him one of the most dynamic defensive linemen in this draft class. There was concern that he was too undersized to play as an interior defensive linemen in the NFL. However, that narrative was debunked at the combine after he came in at 6-foot-2 and 287 pounds.

After showing he has the size necessary to hold up at defensive tackle, there is a good chance he lands in the top-ten of the 2019 NFL Draft. It is rare for a defensive tackle to have the speed and explosiveness of Oliver, helping him create penetration in the backfield by using his quickness to beat the typically slower interior offensive linemen.

But not only does he have great speed, he is also powerful at the point of attack. Overall, it is hard to find interior defensive linemen that have the blend of speed and power that Oliver has.

In 2018, Oliver made 54 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble in eight games.

Garrett has quickly become one of the most dominating edge rushers in the NFL in just two seasons. Last year, Garrett made 44 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 29 quarterback hits.

If the Browns could pair Garrett with Oliver, it would make it much harder for opposing offensive lines to game-plan for the Browns defense. If they decide to apply help on Garrett, it would leave Oliver an opportunity to create penetration up the middle.

Although pairing Oliver with Garrett would potentially create one of the most dominant defensive lines for years to come, it is hard to see Oliver dropping all the way down to 17th overall. If the Browns want Oliver, then they may have to trade up to get him.

If Oliver were to slide a little bit in the draft, it would make a lot of the sense for the Browns to consider trading up. The Browns did not receive much production out of Trevon Coley last season, showing that Cleveland needed to find a defensive tackle next to Larry Ogunjobi.

As disruptive as the Browns defensive line would be if they were able to draft Oliver, it currently seems unlikely that Oliver ends up in Cleveland. But like Oliver said, thinking about pairing him with Garrett would create one heck of a one-two punch.