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Redskins Training Camp Profile 2019: EDGE Montez Sweat

By Jacob Camenker

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 21: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by linebacker Ryan Anderson #52 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by linebacker Ryan Anderson #52 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Sweat’s main competition

Truth be told, Sweat doesn’t have a lot of competition heading into the 2019 campaign. In fact, he should be able to start right away for Washington.

During the offseason, the Redskins saw a great deal of change on the edge. Preston Smith, the team’s starter for the last three years, elected to sign a big-money deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.

Additionally, veteran Pernell McPhee wasn’t brought back to the squad for a second season. McPhee had joined the team on a one-year deal worth up to $1.8 million, but he didn’t do much for the squad. At times, he was among the team’s inactives and didn’t have a sack for the first time in his career.

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With the departure of those two, Sweat’s path to the starting job should be easy. His main competition will be Ryan Anderson, a former 2017 second-round pick out of Alabama who was largely thought of as a reach when the ‘Skins took him. Anderson is strong against the run and can physically set the edge, but he’s still not as strong of a pass rusher. This will make him an ideal rotational player and top backup, but Sweat has him beat athletically and also projects to be strong against the run. So, Sweat should hold the advantage there.

Elsewhere, the other two players battling for a roster spot at the edge rush position are Cassanova McKinzy and Jordan Brailford. McKinzy played for the teams at times last year and showcased good speed. However, he suffered an injury that prematurely ended his season.

Meanwhile, Brailford was a late seventh-round pick who had 10 sacks in his final collegiate season. He has a stout frame and could emerge as a solid backup. But, he’s not likely to start, nor is McKinzy. Their main battle will be with each other and they won’t challenge Sweat.

So, it seems probable that if all goes well for Sweat, he will be the starter across from Ryan Kerrigan. And pairing across from Kerrigan and playing with this defensive line could do a lot to spark Sweat early on in his career.

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