Montez Sweat
DE, Mississippi St. · 2019 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #26 (WAS)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 109 of ~117 possible regular-season games from 2019 through 2025 (~93%). Plus 5 games so far in 2026.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #22 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#26). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (2,127 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Mississippi St.: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at 260 lbs: faster than 100% of DLs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
DE (DL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53% of the time (966 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 114 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 48 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 1.6 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 49.6 |
| Defense | 193 tackles, 59 sacks, 1 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2019 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2019 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| Position DL | 53.0% n=966 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 6", 260 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.41 s |
| Bench press | 21 reps |
| Vertical | 36" |
| Broad jump | 125" |
| 3-cone | 7 s |
| Shuttle | 4.29 s |
| Arm / hand | 35.63" / 10.13" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #22 overall (#4 DE) |
Picked around him 2019 redraft
| 23 | Tytus Howard | redraft #36 |
| 24 | Josh Jacobs | redraft #8 |
| 25 | Marquise Brown | redraft #34 |
| 27 | Johnathan Abram | redraft #106 |
| 28 | Jerry Tillery | redraft #61 |
| 29 | L.J. Collier | redraft #93 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.