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Reese’s Senior Bowl 2019: 10 NFL Draft prospects to watch

By John Mitchell

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat has seen his draft stock fall over the last couple of months. Sweat had a brilliant start to his senior season in Starkville that saw him rise up draft boards, with some pundits placing him among the ten best prospects in the 2019 class.

His production waned over the final month of the regular season where he managed only 2.5 sacks in November. He was mostly ineffective in the Bulldogs’ loss to Iowa in the Outback Bowl as well.

Hurting Sweat’s stock as well is the fact that he probably only fits in as a 4-3 defensive end – he doesn’t project as much of a stand-up edge rusher in 3-4 alignments, which limits his suitors at the next level.

Sweat doesn’t have blazing speed, but his length allows him to shove away blockers and leverage his size to gain an advantage as he rushes the passer. He cooled off in November, but Sweat still finished the season with 12.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles-for-loss. He’ll have to show some improvements as an edge-setter in the run game to be able to play every down in the NFL.

Currently, Sweat projects as a fringe first round draft pick. Mel Kiper has him listed as his No. 7 ranked defensive end; Todd McShay has him listed No. 4 and among his Top 32 prospects in this class.

Sweat needs a good week in Mobile, not merely a good game on Saturday, in order to solidify his place in the first round of the draft. He needs to show that his motor isn’t as hot-and-cold as it appeared over his collegiate career. He’ll have every opportunity to do that going up against an outstanding crop of offensive tackles this week.

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