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Grading the Redskins’ trade up and selection of EDGE Montez Sweat

By Jacob Camenker

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 4: Ross Comis #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen is sacked by Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 4: Ross Comis #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen is sacked by Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins made a surprising move and traded back into the first round to take a second player. They selected edge rusher Montez Sweat from Mississippi State.

The Redskins made a move that few expected on Thursday night. They traded up into the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. While some had thought the team might move into the top-five picks for a quarterback, few expected them to combine their second-day resources and move into the back half of the first round. But that’s exactly what they did.

At the 26th pick, the Redskins elected to make a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. They sent the Colts their second-round pick (46) and a 2020 second-round pick to Indy for the first-round selection. And with the pick, they took Montez Sweat.

Sweat, a pass rusher from Mississippi State, was one of the better players in this draft class. He could have been a top-10 pick had it not been for a medical concern related to his heart. However, on the eve of the draft, it was reported that Sweat was actually misdiagnosed, and that opened up an opportunity for him to be an option in the first round.

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Sweat was excellent during his two years with the Bulldogs, totaling 22.5 sacks and demonstrating well-rounded abilities as a pass rusher. He should thrive in most facets of the game, though his ability to play in space will be tested, as he plays a bit upright. But, he has the athletic profile and skill set needed to be a sure-fire success on the edge in the NFL.

The Redskins had a need at the edge rusher position. They lost Preston Smith in free agency and Ryan Anderson was scheduled to start. Anderson has been a solid rotational piece, but he doesn’t offer a lot as a pass rusher. So, adding Sweat to use Anderson as a backup was far more ideal.

Considering that Sweat easily could have gone in the top 10 if it hadn’t been for his misdiagnosis, the Redskins should receive high marks for this trade. Sure, they traded two second-round picks to move up, but consider the return. Are those second-round picks going to produce a potential top-10 talent? Probably not. So, in that respect, the price was a fair one.

The ‘Skins may have considered Sweat at 15. Getting him at 26, no matter the cost, was an excellent move. The front office deserves praise for addressing two of their biggest needs on the first night of the draft.

dark. Next. Grading Redskins' selection of Dwayne Haskins

Grade for Redskins drafting Sweat: A

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