Ed Oliver and Dexter Lawrence visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting two of the top defensive line prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft today in Ed Oliver and Dexter Lawrence.

Add two more prospects to the growing list of players visiting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to Ian Rapoport, defensive linemen Ed Oliver from Houston, and Dexter Lawrence from Clemson are meeting with the team today.

Oliver is firmly in play for the Buccaneers with the fifth overall pick, especially if fellow defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is off of the board. However, as Oliver’s draft stock remains somewhat of an anomaly, the Buccaneers could potentially trade back to the back end of the top-ten and still have an opportunity to grab him.

After testing at his pro day, Oliver finds himself back in the good graces of NFL scouts and general managers. At the combine, Oliver only completed the bench press, vertical jump, and broad jump, but tested in the 87th percentile or above in all three. He lit it up at his pro day, running a 4.73 40 yard dash at 287 pounds and an astounding 7.15 3-cone drill; incredible times for a defensive tackle.

Lawrence, if Tampa Bay goes away from the defensive line in the first round, would be a solid selection for the Buccaneers with their 39th overall pick in the draft. Coming in at a whopping 6’4 and 342 pounds at the combine, the big man ran a 5.05 40 yard dash; incredibly impressive for a man his size. Lawrence went on to add 36 reps on the bench press. Lawrence participated in on-field drills at his pro day, but did not complete any additional tests.

Either of these big men would fit in new defensive coordinator’s 3-4 scheme. Oliver projects as a three-technique defensive end that could potentially play on the edge as well. Lawrence projects as strictly an interior lineman and could see reps at both end and nose tackle. Both would be an asset to the Buccaneers in 2019.