With the NFL Draft being just one sleep away, the rumors are endless. Players stocks rise and fall seemingly overnight due to rumors and one player who may see his stock fall is Montez Sweat.
For months leading up to the draft, the media and other sources had Sweat as a lock to go in the top 10 of this year's draft. He is one of the best edge rushers in the draft and a ton of teams need someone like him on their defense.
It's awful to see situations like these arise, especially the week of the NFL Draft. Most of, if not all, of these prospects have been dreaming of having their name called on draft day since they were little kids.
Fast forward to this week and now Sweat could reportedly see himself fall out of the first round. During the NFL Combine, it was known that the Mississippi State product had an abnormal heart condition. Furthermore, Sweat has a condition where his heart is enlarged to simply put it.
According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, some teams have taken him off their board, while others are comfortable with it.
The teams who have taken him off their board are likely being cautious in case the condition hinders Sweat at all throughout his career. But some teams could get a steal if he falls in the draft and his condition proves to be a non-issue.
One team who should be paying close attention to Sweat's situation is the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams hold the 31st overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Rams are still in need of a reliable edge rusher despite signing Clay Matthews and re-signing Dante Fowler this offseason. Getting someone as talented as Sweat to fall in their laps late in the first round would be like winning the lottery.
In college, Sweat annihilated opposing offensive lines at Mississippi State. The talented pass rusher started in two seasons in college. In those two years, he had 22.5 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.
He ranked second in sacks in the SEC during 2018 with 12 sacks. Sweat helped lead the Bulldogs to two straight bowl games in 2017 and 2018.
After the college football season ended, it was time for Sweat to prove himself at the Senior Bowl. He did just that by dominating anyone he came up against during the practices. Immediately after watching Sweat, scouts viewed him as a top 10 pick after seeing his skill set.
At 6-foot-6 and 250-ish pounds, Sweat mainly played at the defensive end position at Mississippi State. Albeit, he should be comfortable if he is asked to stand up and rush as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
His long arms and his ability to get to the quarterback with a bevy of moves make his potential skyrocket in the NFL. Visualize someone as skillful as Sweat coming off of the edge beside Aaron Donald. Although, the Rams do have other needs that they may see as more pressing in this year's draft.
Furthermore, interior offensive line and defensive tackle are two positions that may be higher on Los Angeles' draft board.
The Rams lost Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan on their offensive line this offseason. That leaves question marks surrounding the left guard and center spots. In turn, the Rams may view guys like Garrett Bradbury, Chris Lindstrom, or Erik McCoy as the best options.
Also, Ndamukong Suh is gone after leaving for free agency. That also gives Los Angeles a need to draft a true nose tackle to fill in for Suh. Therefore, Jerry Tillery or Dexter Lawrence may sit atop the Rams' draft board.
Regardless if that's the case, you don't see situations like the one with Sweat happen very often. Sweat is undoubtedly a top 10 pick talent wise but his heart condition makes his situation hazy, leaving teams to err on the side of caution.
If doctors and medical examiners view his heart condition as non-problematic then teams should be clamoring for the young edge rusher. A decision like this can change the trajectory of a franchise.
It may be a risk, but Les Snead and Sean McVay are known to take risks. So far it's paid off for them and the choice to select Sweat would too.
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