Texas Football: 2019 NFL Draft Combine former Longhorn projections
Since his strong Senior Bowl showing a few weeks back, the reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Charles Omenihu started to shoot up 2019 NFL Draft boards. Some had him landing even as high as the first round. But, that would take a big showing in the NFL Combine too. Omenihu doesn’t seem like anything close to a solidified first round prospect yet.
If this were most NFL Draft classes along the defensive line, Omenihu could pretty easily work himself into the first round conversation. The issue is that this 2019 NFL Draft field at defensive end, edge rusher, and defensive tackle is historically deep. It’s hard to find footing to rise that far up draft boards for any defensive end.
Other defensive line prospects such as Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence, Houston’s Ed Oliver, Michigan’s Rashan Gary, and Ohio State’s Nick Bosa are mostly going to encompass the first round discussion for this position group. Omenihu could still find himself among the best defensive linemen that come out of this draft class, though.
What Omenihu needs to show in this NFL Combine is the quickness off the edge and the strength that can either match up with, or surpass, some of the defensive line prospects currently above him on draft boards. Omenihu might have the most pivotal NFL Combine out of all of the former Texas standouts invited this year.