Josh Sweat

Labeled the No. 1 prep defensive end in the country when he signed with Florida State and leaving the Seminoles early for the NFL despite fairly pedestrian sack totals in 2017, Sweat may have accomplished a true rarity - going from overrated to underrated in three short years. Make no mistake, characterizing Sweat as overrated is not a slight to his talent. Rather, it is a reflection of the severity of the injury he suffered as a senior in high school, when he tore the ACL while dislocating his left knee in just the second game of the season. Had there been damage to the arteries, Sweat could have lost the lower portion of his leg. Instead, in a testament to the medical treatment he received and his own hard work, Sweat recovered from the ACL reconstruction in time to preserve his lofty ranking, sign with Florida State as one of the more highly touted preps in the country and even play 12 games for the Seminoles the next season. Though he later estimated that he was only "85%," Sweat emerged as one of the top young edge rushers in the ACC, recording 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass break-ups, three fumble recoveries and an interception in 2015. With future second round pick DeMarcus Lawrence (Denver) earning most of the attention from opposing blockers in 2016, Sweat enjoyed the best statistical season of his college career. He appeared in 12 games (starting 10) and recorded 41 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and seven sacks for a team that finished No. 2 in the entire country in total sacks (51) over the 2016 campaign. As such, optimism was high that Sweat was on the verge of a breakout third season, especially given that all seven of his sacks in 2016 came over the final eight games of the year - which followed a second surgery on his left knee to repair a "minor" cartilage tear. Instead, with opponents focusing more attention on him in 2017 (and Sweat inexplicably being pushed inside to defensive tackle), his sack numbers dropped slightly to 5.5 in 2017. He also recorded a career-high 56 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss. His production is all the more impressive given that Sweat opted not to play in the Independence Bowl after announcing his decision to apply for early entry into the 2018 NFL draft. BACKGROUND Consensus five-star defensive end, ranked No. 1 in the nation at his position by 247Sports and Scout in the 2015 recruiting class...tabbed the country's fifth-best overall player by Scout, sixth-best by 247Sports, No. 11 by ESPN and No. 34 by Rivals...unanimous No. 1 prospect in Virginia...rated the second-best defensive end in the nation by Rivals and No. 3 by ESPN...only played in two games as a senior before a season-ending injury...had 94 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 22 sacks as a junior at Oscar Smith in 2013...was named to the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, but did not play...picked Florida State over Virginia Tech, Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State...born March 29, 1997...majoring in social science.

in our view

If his surgically-repaired left knee checks out with team doctors at the Combine, Sweat could make a late climb up draft boards as (pardon the pun) this kid is dripping with potential. He is built exactly as NFL teams want edge rushers to look, flashing the burst, bend and power to live up to his lofty pre-injury billing. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. If teams are not comfortable with Sweat's recovery, the former blue chip prospect could be in long for a long wait on draft weekend.

strengths

Possesses a prototypical build for a modern day edge rusher with broad shoulders, vines for arms and a tapered athletic frame with good overall weight distribution. Flashes good initial burst to cross the face of tackles off either side, incorporating strong, accurate hands to slap away at the reach of would-be blockers and showing good flexibility to dip his shoulder while accelerating around the arc. Raw athleticism shows in his ability to chase down ball-carriers, generating impressive closing speed and an explosive stopping power. Much stronger at the point of attack than his frame suggests, bending at the knees to anchor effectively and using his length and upper body strength to bench press would-be blockers, disengaging quickly when he sees the ball nearby. Uses his long arms to lasso ball-carriers, showing the strength to rip them to the ground or trip them up from behind. Improved awareness of passing lanes with half of his six career passes broken up coming in 2017... -- Rob Rang 1/6/2018

compares to

Olivier Vernon, Giants - A disappointing suspension-shortened final season at the University of Miami dropped Vernon to the third round of the 2012 draft but that is where the team that perhaps scouted him the most - the Dolphins - struck gold. Though his surgically-repaired knee obviously will impact Sweat's final draft status, he flashes the upfield burst and bend to be a legitimate threat off the edge and (like Vernon before him), his best football may still be ahead of him. Vernon, who recorded a total of nine sacks in three seasons at The U, has 44.5 sacks over six years in the NFL, with 15.5 coming over the past two seasons with New York.

weaknesses

Is not the sum of his parts, showing less-than-ideal instincts for the position, too often losing sight of the ball and, at times, getting stuck on blocks. Flashes the initial burst to beat tackles upfield but did not consistently beat opponents with a speed rush, relying more on twists and stunts to free him up and using his burst as a complementary piece rather than as a go-to strategy that opponents must account for... Seemed to favor his surgically-repaired leg, at times, and possesses very long legs, which could leave him vulnerable to future injuries. Further, Sweat shows just average awareness among edge rushers to cut blocks and does not possess ideal lateral agility to catch elusive ball-carriers in space, too often failing to break down effectively and resorting to lunging. A bit hot and cold in terms of his lateral and downfield pursuit. Raised questions about his commitment to the team with the business decision to sit out the Independence Bowl, the final game of his college career. Comes with obvious medical red-flags due to multiple surgeries on his left knee, which will require a careful evaluation at the Combine. - Rob Rang 1/6/2018

Attended Oscar Smith High School, Chesapeake, Virginia Consensus five-star defensive end, ranked No. 1 in the nation at his position by 247Sports and Scout in the 2015 recruiting class

tabbed the country’s fifth-best overall player by Scout, sixth-best by 247Sports, No. 11 by ESPN and No. 34 by Rivals

unanimous No. 1 prospect in Virginia

rated the second-best defensive end in the nation by Rivals and No. 3 by ESPN

only played in two games as a senior before a season-ending injury

had 94 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 22 sacks as a junior at Oscar Smith in 2013

was named to the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, but did not play

picked Florida State over Virginia Tech, Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State.

Born March 29, 1997

majoring in history.

2017

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
12.5	6.0	56.0	0.0	3.0	5.5	31.0

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
11.5	6.0	41.0	0.0	1.0	7.0	25.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	6.0	6.0	1.0