Why Falcons shouldn't draft DT Oliver

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Photo credit © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons hold the No. 14 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft which is now just two weeks away. This year's draft is notable because of all the interior defensive line talent available. And Houston's Ed Oliver is one of those guys.

Oliver is also a player many would like to see here in a Falcons uniform. 

Matt Miller, who covers the NFL Draft for Bleacher Report, said adding Oliver alongside Grady Jarrett would make for a dangerous combo for opposing offenses.

"That's probably the fastest defensive tackle combination in the NFL if those two get together," Miller said.

In a now pass-happy league, the goal for every defense in the league is to get to the quarterback. And the best way to do that is applying interior pressure.

"Being able to pair Grady Jarrett with Ed Oliver, I've never seen anything like that in terms of quickness in D-tackle."

But there is one problem in adding Oliver: size.

If the #Falcons draft Ed Oliver, @nfldraftscout told @jmch316 & @randymac81 opposing teams will run the ball 35 times per game. There wouldn't be a lot of size along that potential defensive front.

— Knox Bardeen (@knoxbardeen) April 10, 2019

"If I were an offensive coordinator and I was playing Atlanta, and I look out there and see Vic Beasley, Ed Oliver, Grady Jarrett and Takk McKinley, I'm going to run the ball 35 times that game and pound the interior. Those are all small-bodied guys," Miller continued.

"I love Ed Oliver...but in (the Falcons) scheme, you're going to have to hope and pray that somebody in there is gonna put some sand in their pants and stop the run."