Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 players to take before Devin White

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

After Allen and Williams, the next three players to take over White come down to preference and are not fire-able offenses. It just so happens that this writer prefers to pass on a linebacker in the first round for a player at a higher premium. As the defensive line talent remains at a premium with a steep drop off outside of the top-35, Houston’s Ed Oliver is another player that must be considered over White with the fifth overall pick.

Oliver has fell victim to the media’s perception that he is too small to play along the defensive line in the NFL. However, entering the season he was being talked about as a top-two talent in this class and did nothing throughout the season to hurt that stock. Teams are starting to come back around on Oliver one week before the draft, and so should the Buccaneers.

Flashing similarities to Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins, Oliver cannot be overlooked due to his size, but instead his athleticism and production alone should have him talked about as a top-five pick. Oliver over White is a no-brainer, especially for a team like the Buccaneers that are looking to move a Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman and lack depth behind him.