Montez

Sweat

Washington sent the No. 46 pick this year and a 2020 second rounder to Indy to move up. Sweat (6’6/260) bounced from Michigan State to JUCO and finally Mississippi State, where he spent two years, earning first-team All-SEC in both with 29.5 TFLs and 22 sacks in 25 starts. He showed freakshow athleticism at the Combine with 97th-percentile SPARQ results including wideout-like 4.41 speed. Sweat wins with first-step quickness and Go-Go-Gadget 35 ¾-inch arms, and PFF College credited him with the highest run-stop percentage (13.3%) among all SEC edge players in 2018. Unfortunately, several teams removed Sweat from their draft boards due to an enlarged heart, prompting his fall to 26. Still, Sweat’s tools, production, and tape suggest he’s capable of becoming one of the NFL’s most-complete edge defenders in a few years. Assuming his health does not become a concern, this is a great value pick for Washington.

As a result of the original diagnosis multiple teams took Sweat completely off of their draft boards, while others were of the impression that the ailment was not a major issue. According to the report the original measurement of Sweat’s heart walls, which was close to 2.0 centimeters in thickness, accidentally included the capillary muscle and that should not have been the case. The new measurement is around 1.5 centimeters, which would mean “there is no risk for Montez Sweat under this diagnosis.” Due to the questions surrounding his heart issue Sweat’s stock was a bit volatile, with some teams projecting him to be a top-10 pick and others not considering him at all. This report could change some minds when it comes to the teams that removed the Mississippi State product from their draft boards.

Some teams might have Sweat off of their boards but certainly not all of them, and Zierlein doesn’t expect a Maurice Hurst situation this time around. Sweat’s upside is as high as any defensive player in this draft with his crazy size and athleticism, so it becomes a risk/reward situation. It’s hard to completely nail down his draft range, but anywhere from 6th to 24th overall seems about right.

Brugler confirms that some teams have completely removed Sweat from their boards, but there are teams that will find Sweat worth the gamble. Whether that’s within the first 10 picks or at the end of the first round is a totally different question. ESPN’s Todd McShay believes Sweat will still be a top-10 selection, but Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller says Sweat’s stock has “bottomed out.” One of the true mysteries of the draft, Sweat can be selected as high as 4th overall and could completely fall out of Round 1.

Sweat (6'6/260) was flagged for a heart condition at the combine and Miller notes that at least “a few” teams have pulled him from their boards. Miller goes so far as to write that the Mississippi State standout could end up falling all the way out of the first round. It’s possible that both Sweat and teammate Jeffery Simmons could still be available on Day 2, something that would have been difficult to imagine just four months ago.

McShay notes that both Sweat (6'6/260) and DT Justin Simmons would be top-6 selections if there were no “alerts.” Despite Sweat withdrawing his attendance from the NFL Draft and increased speculation about poor medical reports, McShay still thinks he’s picked inside the top-10. Sweat’s draft stock is tough to gauge at the moment as all it takes is one team who doesn’t think there are medical concerns for him to be a top-10 pick.

Sweat (6'6/260) originally planned on attending the NFL Draft but after the latest report of teams being concerned about his medicals it could make sense for him to avoid attending the draft entirely. Sweat’s comment indicated it was about being with his family but it’s likely a combination of both factors. He’s routinely mocked inside the top-10 picks, but if many teams are concerned about his health evaluation his draft stock could plummet.

Jeremiah recently had Sweat (6'6/260) sliding to the 17th overall in his mock draft, but he doesn’t project Sweat having a huge fall on draft night. Instead, Jeremiah anticipates teams using Sweat’s medicals against him only as a tie-breaker because none of the teams he’s talked to have completely removed Sweat from their boards. If there were no medical concerns, Sweat would have a much better chance of landing inside the top 10, but his draft range is certainly wider now. However, there is a chance he is selected near 6th overall.

Lots of players in the draft have potential, but there is a difference when it comes to Sweat according to Miller. “Montez Sweat has rare traits and potential, but unlike most developmental players, he has production to warrant a top-10 selection in the 2019 draft,” Miller wrote. The former Mississippi State defensive lineman was one of the most impressive performers at the NFL Scouting Combine, and the combination of athletic tools and on-field production have made him a player who’s unlikely to be on the board too long on Day 1. Jacksonville and the New York Giants are two teams that scouts have most often projected to select Sweat in their mock drafts.

Quarterback is “looking like a no-go early for the Giants,” according to the ESPN reporter, so he’s focusing on the top defensive prospects instead. Raanan also says the Giants “would run up to the podium” for Nick Bosa, Josh Allen, or Quinnen Williams, but all three may be already drafted before the Giants’ 6th overall pick. However, they have the ammo to move up -- the New York Jets are looking to trade down from 3rd overall -- and that’s something GM Dave Gettleman hasn’t shied away from historically.