2019 NFL Draft: Montez Sweat Scouting Report
The defensive line class for the 2019 NFL Draft is insanely deep and talented. Not only is there a terrific crop at the very top of the class, but the quantity is so great that you'll be able to find starters late on the second day and yet still early on the third.
You can make the case that of all the talented defensive linemen in the class of '19, none are as athletically gifted as Mississippi State's Montez Sweat, who set the NFL Combine on fire last month. Oh, and before you think he's just the latest workout warrior who looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane, check out his tape, because the kid can ball. 22.5 sacks in his last 26 games while playing in the SEC says what up.
Here's his scouting report, courtesy of Southeastern Scouting.
Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State, #9, 6060/260
40: 4.41 – Bench: 21 – 3C: 7.0 – VJ: 36 – BJ: 125
Film Evaluated: Kansas State (2018), Kentucky (2018, 2017), Auburn (2018), Alabama (2018, 2017), LSU (2018), Ole Miss (2018, 2017), Iowa (2018).
Strengths: Exceptionally gifted athlete with prototypical length for an edge rusher. Burst, lateral quickness, change of direction and explosion are off the charts in testing, and it shows up on film too. Good first step off the ball and does a nice job anticipating snap count. Does a nice job of using his reach and his length getting after the QB. Has a strong punch and utilizes long arms to keep OT’s off his chest. Can stack and shed. Effective rush moves include dip/rip, swim, wipers, chop, push/pull, long arm. Finishes well. Does a nice job of crossing face and coming underneath blocks to stop inside run. Strong against the run and has underrated power in his base, can anchor. Can set the edge and does a nice job protecting against outside run. High football IQ and on-field awareness, identifies run/pass quickly. Natural instincts. Consistent tackler who does a nice job of wrapping up, tackles low. Plays with a good motor. Exceptional production against premier competition over 2-year span.
Weaknesses: Can be a bit stiff in his hips at times while rushing passer. Despite using hands pretty well, is still susceptible to cut blocks. Doesn’t show the same burst off the ball rushing from 2-pt stance as he does from 3. Doesn’t always rush half man and will take blockers head on. Still developing reliable counter move and doesn’t always stack moves. Struggles shedding off doubles. Some concern his natural playing weight will fluctuate throughout season and could struggle to maintain desirable size.
Overall: Sweat was an unheralded and under-appreciated prospect coming out of Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain (GA), considered a 2 or low 3-star prospect by most recruiting services, and was recruited by many as a 220-pound TE instead of DE. After signing with Michigan State as a DE, he played in just 2 games before redshirting, and missed the majority of his sophomore season due to being suspended for undisclosed team violations, for which he would later be kicked off the team.
After a standout season at Co-Lin JC, Sweat signed with the Bulldogs, where he would put together two of the best seasons in school history for a defensive lineman. In just 26 games suited up for State, Sweat produced 30 TFL’s and 22.5 sacks, twice being named 1st team All-SEC and as a senior 1st team All-American.
Following a solid week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Sweat erupted at the NFL Combine, running a 4.41 at 260-pounds and leaping 36 inches in the vertical and 125 in the broad, effectively solidifying his 1st round draft status.
In terms of size, length, athleticism and quickness, he’s damn close to an ideal prospect. Finding guys who are 6-6/260 and running a 4.41 is unheard of, and his burst and lateral mobility is stupefying. His freakish attributes stand out on the film, too. It always seems that the workout wonder-guys never seem to have the production to back up their numbers, but Sweat certainly doesn’t have that problem.
Against the pass, he’s like a screaming pterodactyl coming off the edge, with length and burst keeping him off pass blockers. He’s still polishing his hands but already has a decent repertoire of rush moves that should only continue to improve. As he gets older, I anticipate him becoming more adept at learning how to stack moves and bait OT’s. His upside as a pass rusher is enormous.
Against the run, he’s not perfect, but he’s not bad either. He’s good on runs away, doing a nice job of coming down on inside runs and can run down ball carriers from the opposite side of the field. Running at him, he will struggle at times to split doubles but has the ability to stack and shed single blocks. As he continues to get stronger in his base, he’ll be able to improve upon his already decent anchor.
He also shows natural instincts and awareness on the field, identifying and diagnosing the play very quickly. He’s a smart player who can both play fast and avoid mental mistakes.
The two areas that need to really be looked into are 1) what happened at Michigan State and 2) further medical testing after doctors at the Combine discovered a heart condition. As to the first point, I’ve heard some sources give me an idea of what allegedly happened, and if they’re accurate, it’s nothing to worry about, other than kids being kids. As to the second point, I’m certainly no medical expert, so I’ll leave it up to the doctors. If they give a full green light, then I’m OK.
I think Sweat has the ability to play as an OLB in a 3-4 front, but I think he’s much better suited as a 4-3 DE. Given his ceiling and developmental upside, I think he has the potential to be an All-Pro player at the next level, as someone who can compete for double digit sacks on a yearly basis.
Final Grade: 1st Round.
Rick Stavig is the owner and founder of SE Scouting. Email questions, comments and outrage to rgstavig@sescouting.com and be sure and follow him on the twitter machine @rickstavig.
