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Montez Sweat medical concerns could push him down in 2019 NFL Draft

By Jeremy Wohlfart

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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Every year through no fault of their own, prospects find themselves tumbling down draft boards for medical-related reasons. Possible top 10 selection Montez Sweat has become the latest for the 2019 NFL Draft, and the San Francisco 49ers should be eyeing this closely.

There’s little doubt the San Francisco 49ers weren’t looking at Mississippi State EDGE Montez Sweat with more than just a glance when he tore through the Senior Bowl and then the NFL Scouting Combine.

There was not a single prospect who was raising their 2019 NFL Draft stock, other than possibly Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, with the momentum and flair that Sweat was.

Well, now the momentum has come to a halt, with the news that Sweat had a heart condition turn up in his physical at the combine.

The good news for the talented EDGE is the condition is much more minor than that of then-Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst a year ago in the 2018 draft. Hurst was a potential first-round selection but fell all the way to the fifth round to the Oakland Raiders, enjoying a productive rookie season.

The good news for Sweat is it may not come to that. Although it is fair to question if a team picking early, including the 49ers, will take a risk on his heart with so many other talented defensive linemen available in the 2019 NFL Draft.

This might put the Niners on notice, however. It’s possible, if unlikely, that the 49ers could see him available with the No. 36 pick on the clock. If the consensus happens, and Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa is the pick at No. 2, Sweat is bound to be off the board entirely.

The team has already indicated that marquee trade pickup Dee Ford will be an EDGE in the team’s defense.

However, if the Niners pick Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams — a player the team is reportedly exceptionally high on, according to Charlie Campbell — and Sweat drops to the 49ers’ second-round selection at No. 36 overall, the selection seems almost obvious.

Having Sweat and Ford bookend an interior made of Williams and Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner would be a defensive line that seemed like a mere fantasy only a week ago.

Of course, it may still be fantasy. As mentioned above, Sweat doesn’t seem to be of as much of a concern as Hurst a year ago. But the fact remains that, in a loaded defensive line class, this could be what causes a prospect to tumble.

Just imagine it: A defensive line made up of Sweat, Buckner, Williams and Ford. That would turn what was San Francisco’s biggest liability into arguably one of the most exciting defensive lines in the NFL.

Contingency plans must be made. No doubt the 49ers have got a very well-constructed draft board involving their candidates for No. 36. But if Sweat finds himself in the mix, it’s inconceivable that anyone else should be the selection.

The truth is what seemed impossible, is now merely improbable and is now very possible. Teams will be medically evaluating Sweat leading into the draft, and the question is which team will take a chance on him.

Next. San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 3 priorities in the 2019 NFL Draft. dark

Could he still be a top 10 selection? Most possibly. Is Sweat still a first-round pick? Most probably. Is Sweat now very much one of the most intriguing players in his draft in where he could be selected?

Most definitely.