After the Washington Redskins pulled off what has widely been seen as an ultra-successful NFL Draft in April, the question now is when we will see the new crop of young talent take the field.
It could be a handful of weeks before QB Dwayne Haskins usurps the starting role from Case Keenum, but one rookie who is basically a lock to see some early playing time is edge rusher Montez Sweat.
The Redskins traded back into the first round to take Sweat with the No. 26 pick. If it weren’t for some unanswered questions surrounding a possible heart condition, Sweat likely would have been selected earlier in the first round. Now, it sounds as if Gruden plans to deploy his draft day steal as soon as possible.
“I have no doubt that he’s going to play a lot,” Gruden said, via 247 Sports. “Obviously the skill-set that he has is quite evident. You see his length and then watch him run after practice, he’s faster than anyone we have probably now. He’s got great length, great speed, now it’s just a matter of transitioning him into the defense.”
Much of the Redskins’ problems in recent years have stemmed from the offensive side of the ball, but that is not to say that the defense couldn’t use a hand from a talented young player with a dynamic skill-set.
If Gruden is true to his word, Washington fans could see how big of a difference-maker Sweat could be early in the 2019 season.
