2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season
54. . DE. Mississippi State . Montez Sweat. 25. player
The Eagles labored through much of 2018 in a Super Bowl hangover, but Nick Foles grabbed back the reins from an injured Carson Wentz and led Philly to the playoffs. They went to Chicago and knocked off the Bears to set up a divisional round matchup with the Saints as they look to continue their postseason magic.
The Eagles have generated a good pass rush this season, thanks in large part to the interior rushing prowess of one of the game’s best defensive tackles in Fletcher Cox. They’ll need to find some help off the edge this offseason, though, if they want to continue their success rushing the passer.
Philly’s top edge rushers are all on the wrong side of 30, so the need for youth is evident. Brandon Graham and Chris Long combined for 10.5 sacks, and both will hit free agency after the season. Michael Bennett has been very productive, but he’ll turn 34 during next season.
Montez Sweat had a bit of an up-and-down senior season for Mississippi State, but he still produced with 12 sacks and 14.5 tackles-for-loss. He can be a bit feast-or-famine, and went a solid month with only a pair of sacks, but his talent is undeniable. In the right scheme, Sweat should be a productive pass rusher in the NFL.
The Eagles could also turn their attention to a CB to aid one of the league’s worst pass defenses. They could be tempted to pull the trigger on Notre Dame’s Julian Love with this pick, but that might be too much of a reach at this point.