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2019 NFL Draft: Power ranking top 10 edge rushers for 49ers

By Peter Panacy

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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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) /

While Zach Allen has only gradually seen his NFL Draft stock rise in recent weeks, Mississippi State EDGE Montez Sweat has been propelled from a possible day-two pick all the way into top-10 consideration.

This, particularly after such a strong showing during the week of the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he gained some recognition from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who coached Sweat’s South team.

Sweat is much more prolific-looking, as far as edge rushers go, standing at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds — a frame which also suggests he could get even bigger and stronger. Right now, though, he already has good speed and bend, which are elements many of the aforementioned pass-rushers lack considerably.

Montez Sweat Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2014 Michigan State Big Ten FR DE 1 2 2 4 0.5 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2015 Michigan State Big Ten FR DE
*2017 Mississippi State SEC JR DL 13 21 27 48 15.5 10.5 0 0 0 0 1 0
*2018 Mississippi State SEC SR DE 13 27 26 53 14.5 12.0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Career Overall 50 55 105 30.5 23.5 0 0 0 0 1 1
Michigan State 2 2 4 0.5 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mississippi State 48 53 101 30.0 22.5 0 0 0 0 1 1

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/24/2019.

Sweat isn’t the perfect prospect, of course, and he’ll have to answer for some team disciplinary actions from his time at Michigan State, which ultimately led to a suspension in 2016 and eventual transfer to Mississippi State.

That transfer, however, was arguably one of the best things for Sweat’s collegiate career, though, as he became quite the known force within the SEC.

A strong combine showing could help him hold onto a top-10 selection, which may pique the 49ers’ interests, should they trade down from No. 2 overall.