The last few days in Indianapolis were kind to Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat, who quickly became the star of the NFL Scouting Combine and now looks like a lock to go within the first 15 picks of the 2019 NFL draft.
After measuring in at 6-6 and 260 pounds, Sweat blazed through the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds – the fastest ever time for a defensive lineman – and produced explosive numbers in the jumps (36″ vertical, 10-5 broad) and agility testing (7.00-second three-cone).
He also threw up 21 reps on the bench press with almost 35″ arms.
Toss in his production in the SEC and a strong week at the Senior Bowl, and Sweat is trending directly towards the top 10 picks of the draft.
That’s good news for the Green Bay Packers, no matter which way you slice it.
GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers would have to consider him if he fell to No. 12, given Sweat’s athletic profile and the defense’s need for an edge rusher. He could be an instant impact player at outside linebacker and a versatile athlete for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to use. And if Sweat does come off the board in the first 11 picks, it’d allow another top defensive player to fall one pick closer to Green Bay’s spot in the first round.
Sweat’s combine performance was special. He was among the best at his position in all the major drills:
In fact, some are now comparing Sweat as an athlete to Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick in the 2014 draft and a three-time Pro Bowler for the Houston Texans.
Many considered Sweat, who tallied 23.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for losses over his final two seasons at Miss. State, to be a first-round prospect coming into the combine. He solidified that status at the combine. In fact, he may now be long gone before the Packers even come on the clock in April.
