Mel Kiper 2019 NFL Draft Big Board: Houston's Ed Oliver Tops the Rankings

ESPN football analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his first big board for the 2019 NFL draft Thursday morning, and University of Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver topped the list.

Kiper compared the Cougars' dominant interior force to Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald.

"From a production standpoint as a game-wrecker on the defensive interior, Oliver could get some Aaron Donald comps—which ain't bad company," he wrote. "Oliver has 38.5 tackles for loss through two seasons, and he played at less than 100 percent for a stretch of 2017."

ESPN colleague Todd McShay also listed Oliver as his projected top pick to the Buffalo Bills in his initial 2019 mock draft last week.

The 20-year-old Texas native already announced in March that he's planning to skip his senior season at Houston to enter next year's draft.

"I do plan on leaving this year," Oliver told reporters. "It's just the truth. I wish I could stay another year, but it's just my time to go."

The 6'3", 290-pound tackle has made a major impact across two years with the Cougars. He's racked up 138 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, nine passes defended and four forced fumbles in 24 games.

Those numbers paired with the current state of the NFL make his presence atop the way-too-early draft rankings no surprise. The league is built on franchise quarterbacks and defenders who are able to disrupt the opposing QB. Oliver is a prototypical fit in the latter category.

In turn, he could very well maintain his status as the 2019 class' top prospect for the next 11 months, barring injury or an unexpected, significant drop-off in performance.