2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Los Angeles Rams focus on linebacker first round

14. Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, Defensive Tackle, Houston

Words can’t even describe how frustrating it was to see the Atlanta Falcons fall way short of earning a trip to the playoffs since the talent was clearly there on both sides of the football. Not to mention, most quarterbacks would do anything to be in the position Matt Ryan found himself in having receivers like Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to rely on.

Then again, as devastating as it was for Atlanta to come up short of their goals, at least they deserve to be an early candidate for teams likely to bounce back in 2019, or Dan Quinn is going to be used to seeing his name on the hot seat.

As much praise as the offense has received over the last couple of years, the only chance Atlanta is going to have at returning to their winning ways is if the defense shows some sort of improvement.

Some teams will make the case that Ed Oliver has too many areas in need of improvement to be selected this high, but the Houston star could be a fun project for the Falcons to work with on the defensive side of the football.

Oliver’s explosiveness alone should catch the attention of a team like Atlanta since the NFC South is filled with plenty of talented quarterbacks, meaning it’s up to the Falcons to make sure they have the right players to provide pressure on them.