2019 NFL Mock Draft: Odell Beckham trade throws first round into chaos
8. player. 50. . DE/OLB. Mississippi State . Montez Sweat
The Lions would likely be disappointed to see Devin White off the board at No. 8, but Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat would be a nice consolation prize with the eighth pick. Not many players have improved their draft stock in the pre-draft process more than Sweat, who put together a strong combine performance after showing out in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.
Sweat is one of the draft’s freakiest athletes. He ran the fastest 40-time ever by a defensive linemen since at least 2003 when combine stats were archived, with a 4.41. He also measured in with a ridiculous wingspan; Sweat has the physical tools to develop into an elite pass rusher in the NFL.
His production didn’t always match his measurables in Starkville, though, which is a bit concerning about his motor. That didn’t seem to be an issue at the Senior Bowl, though, and he also showed he was more than a one-trick pony, showing a propensity as an edge-setter in the run game, a tool that was arguably more impressive than his pass rushing ability in Mobile.
His freaky athleticism and sky-high ceiling should find Sweat a serious threat to be picked in the Top-10 if not even the Top-5.
The Lions will have a tough decision to make with this pick. They could go a variety of different ways, but I imagine a defensive coach like Matt Patrica would want to focus on correcting his defense first after sporting the 28th ranked unit in defensive DVOA last season. If it isn’t Sweat, the Lions could reach for Michigan’s Devin Bush to fill their need at linebacker, or they could look at Michigan’s Rashan Gary, a versatile defensive line prospect who can be moved across the whole line.
It wouldn’t surprise me, either, with how Patrica had a front-row seat for the impact Rob Gronkowski has had on the Patriots, if they decided to look at Hockenson or Fant, though it would be a tad early for one of them here.
(Note: on Sunday afternoon, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Sweat’s combine medical exams revealed a pre-existing heart condition. It’s too early to speculate on what this could do to his draft stock, but it could cause him to fall further than his talent would normally suggest.)