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Redskins Saturday Spotlight: Mississippi State EDGE Montez Sweat

By Ian Cummings

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins looks on against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins looks on against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Relevance to the Redskins

While we’ve stretched the bounds of what exactly a “need” is with our first two Saturday Spotlights, it’s easy to assume that edge rusher could be a primary need for the Redskins in 2019.

Through two games, Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith have exactly zero sacks combined. It’s too early to make any seasonal judgements, but Kerrigan is dangerously close to the proverbial cliff that all players inevitably hit, and Smith is in a contract year. He needs to go out and earn it, and so far, he hasn’t.

The Redskins edge presence has been very weak to start the season, and interestingly enough, the only tangible spark came from a backup: Ryan Anderson. This isn’t to say that Anderson should be starting; anyone can flash. But the starters used to have a degree of reliability to their game. They haven’t had that thus far in 2018.

In 2019, Washington may be forced to restock on the edge, and a quality edge rusher with exceptional upside is worth an early pick. There are many other options besides Sweat that deserve recognition. If immaculate bend is what you want, Brian Burns is your guy. Is technical prowess more your thing? There’s a Clelin Ferrell for that. And we all know Nick Bosa is simply a force, but more likely than not, he’ll be gone before the Redskins pick.

Next. Washington Redskins Week 3 Reality Checks. dark

Sweat is a very mixed prospect, and that makes him one of the most intriguing players in the upcoming draft. He has the size, length, and burst to be disruptive, so long as he can work on getting stronger. Perhaps, when the 2019 NFL Draft rolls around, the Redskins replace Preston Smith with another edge rusher from the factory that is Mississippi State.

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