Montez Sweat, OLB, Mississippi St

I agree about looking into him. He definitely checks the “measurables” box!

I’d be curious to hear if Tomlin takes him out to dinner. Probably the best way to figure out if he also has the nasty temperament about him that most effective edge rushers possess.

Watching him rag doll that OL at senior bowl practice was awesome! While I don’t love the idea of going edge again in the draft, one thing our defense needs is a closer, regardless of position. If Montez is it, then yeah, pull the trigger freely.

 

Yes he definitely should throw his drink and dinner in Tomlins face and tell him to draft him if he wants to keep his job.....that will show him he means business

 

Sadly my fellow draftnik friend, I would have to disagree with you on Sweat. Not doubting his production. Not denying his pass rushing talent either. My issue stems from the fact he seems more scheme limited than others make him out to be multi versatile.



He appears more so for a 4-3 alignment if anything. He has had experience standing up before. Of that much is not the issue. The current issue stems from our system asking our outside linebackers to drop at least 33% of a season's worth of snaps; T.J. dropping 34% in his rookie season. I do not think Montez would be well equipped to drop into coverage. For that matter, dropping Montez into coverage is playing his weaknesses and not strengths.



Assuming Pittsburgh ultimately elects to go full 4-3 based formations, their sub packages included, I doubt Sweat is a target. As much as I like him, he does not fit our system. That being said, even if we drafted Sweat, Keith Butler would find a way to ruin him.

 

On the Terrible Podcast they said they thought Sweat would be more of a 4/3 DE FWIW.

 

While reading the notes the last couple days this is the first guy everyone has been talking about. If he has a good game and then a decent combine he imo could jump into the top 20.

 

Yeah I did see the highlights posted...take a look:

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/1/...-notes-nfl-draft-montez-sweat-bengals-coaches

 

I think the concern over his coverage ability shouldn't trump his ability to get to the QB. We typically drop our ROLB more than the left. Not that I want to keep jumping Watt from side to side but he did play the left just last year. He is a better coverage guy anyway. Woodley wasn't exactly the most athletic OLB but he got to the QB and was stout against the run and wasn't exactly a big liability in coverage. I think the bigger concern should be finding guys who can consistently win on the edge ,this way we don't need smoke and mirrors to get sacks. Let the guys who get paid to cover,cover and get our OLBs back to terrorizing QBs.

We already have one half of the equation. If Sweat continues his ascent he shouldn't be ruled out because of his perceived 4-3 designation. In fact I think his size and versatility to play with his hand in the dirt sometimes ,should be looked at as a asset. Let's see how the process goes,including the combine.
Maybe he can be Watts bookend and we can save 9 mil. along the way. Still a long ways to go in the process.

 

Adderly's name as well....

 

Yes, excellent post.

Sometimes you just have to focus on what a guy does well instead of what he doesn’t. Especially when that’s rushing the passer. Most of the time, as long as you move backwards into a zone, it’s enough to scare away non-elite quarterbacks. And if we’re playing an elite guy just pin the ears back and GO!

 

I'm pretty sure Denver isn't concerned with Von Miller in coverage

 

That is the biggest issue. Our scheme really does concern itself with pass rushers dropping into coverage. Rather, Keith Butler simply doing too much and not enough.



Again, as I said, Montez Sweat is someone I would like to have. With a good combine showing, nevermind would like, I would love to have him. The issue is getting to the Quarterback is his M.O. Having him doing anything other than that impedes his development and ultimately defeats the purpose of drafting him.

 

Well hopefully Sweat will be around much longer than Butler and Tomlin for that matter since he has a major hand in the scheme as well. Like I said you can have him as the LOLB who is asked to cover less. If they can't/don't start using the players in the way that best accentuates their skills it's time to go. We have to start drafting more ready made football players. I don't think a guy like Sweat would embarrass himself in coverage. Woodley never did....

 

I will be honest. I like the kid. Have seen him a lot. Makes a lot of plays against lesser talent. Kinda like Dupree did. He is a good high character guy with a non stop motor.

Wouldn't hate the pick just afraid we have bigger needs. Like the backend of defense

 

That is another issue. Is the selection on Montez Sweat going to be good or bad? The good news is Sweat has half of those questions answered all by himself. The bad news is the other half is decided on what Keith wants to do with him.

 

Read something about Dupree inexplicably being a no show without prior notice at the SeniorBowl after he had been invited. Kinda odd. Maybe he knew he would be exposed back then against quality players.

 

I think I read then he was not wanting to risk injury and was actually good dropping to a better team. I may be wrong and no way I can remember where I read it. I do think it was something like that though