The Redskins traded up with the Colts to select Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat with the No. 26 overall selection of the 2019 NFL draft.
Washington needed a pass rusher to replace Preston Smith, so Sweat gave them a great option to fill the void.
Sweat’s draft stock dropped because of a heart issue that made many NFL teams take him off their draft boards entirely. He didn’t drop as much as many were expecting, though.
Sweat possesses good explosiveness of the line of scrimmage, using his huge wingspan to detach from blockers. Solid ability against the run, Sweat has great identification of the football and has adequate open field pursuit. He must become stronger at the point of attack and isn’t going to thrive at bending the edge.
Overall, Sweat should be an impact starter for the Redskins right off the bat.
