With the NFL Draft just days away, the Oakland Raiders are searching for ways to improve their pass rush. With the consensus being that the team will select defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at No. 4, they may have to wait until the end of the first round to address their edge rush need.
However, there is a chance that a top-10 talent could potentially fall to them at No. 24 or even No. 27. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat will not attend the NFL Draft on Thursday, instead, opting to spend the day with his family.
This report comes after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Sweat is off several team’s draft board due to a heart issue that popped up at the NFL Combine. While the condition is considered “low-risk,” some teams are obviously concerned about his health and whether or not he can continue to play football.
This situation feels very similar to Maurice Hurst from 2018, who was not allowed to participate at the combine due to an irregular heartbeat. However, Oakland selected him anyways in the fifth-round, and he proved to be one of the biggest deals of the draft.
Could Oakland consider taking another risk in 2019? Sweat’s health concerns aren’t at the same level of Hurst, and you can make a case that he is a much better prospect as well.
With Sweat not attending the NFL Draft, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that he could fall on the first day of the draft. If that happens, expect the Raiders to be crossing their fingers that one of the best edge rushers in the class falls to them at No. 24.
If Oakland could come away with Quinnen Williams and Montez Sweat on the first day of the draft, that would be a franchise-changing night for the Raiders.
