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After barely playing in two years at Michigan State (one redshirt season), Montez Sweat, 22, made the move to the SEC and became one of its best rushers with double-digit sacks as a junior and senior at Mississippi State. Was only held sack-free in two games as a junior. As a senior, was voted a first-team All-American by several outlets.
Sweat used his athleticism to beat opposing offensive linemen while managing to be a sturdy run-stopper. He was an NFL Combine darling with top-five measurables in three major categories and has drawn comparisons to Danielle Hunter with regard to his physique and his rawness. Has a pre-existing heart condition, however, that may spook teams like it did with Maurice Hurst in the 2018 draft.
Size
6-6, 260 pounds
Combine notables
40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds (1st at position)
Bench: 21 reps
Vertical: 36 inches (T6th at position)
Broad jump: 125 inches (4th at position)
What the analysts say
“Some will see Sweat as a leggy edge prospect with average play strength and a lack of refinement in his pass rush. I see a talent, similar to Danielle Hunter out of LSU, with above-average length and a prospect who should continue to grow into his frame, allowing him to unleash his rush flashes into a consistent attack. His transition as an NFL rusher will take some time, but like Hunter, he should come out on the other side as a good, impact starter as an every-down edge defender.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
“Sweat’s path to success as an NFL edge rusher is going to be with snap timing, hand technique and pass rush variety. He’s improved in all of those ways over his career at Mississippi State, but he still isn’t quite where you’d like him to be heading into the NFL. I think he’s a good, solid player with starting ability, but I don’t know that annual double-digit sacks is in his NFL future like it was in college.” – Jon Ledyard, The Draft Network
What PFF says
-1st in run-stop percentage (12.7 percent)
-10th in pass-rush productivity
-17th in snaps per outside pressure
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ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE
TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION
