NFL Mock Draft 2019: ESPN Mel Kiper 1.0 Edition

You really know the 2019 NFL offseason has arrived (for all but four teams, at least) when Mel Kiper is back in your life. The ESPN analyst released his first 2019 NFL mock draft on Thursday. Here’s who he has the Philadelphia Eagles taking in the first round, via In$ider:

25. Philadelphia Eagles: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

With free agents Brandon Graham and Chris Long potentially moving on, Philadelphia could add some pass-rush help here. At 6-foot-6, 241 pounds, Sweat is a rangy prospect who is athletically gifted. And he produced, racking up 22 sacks the past two seasons. Receiver is also a position to watch, as Golden Tate and Mike Wallace are both on the free-agent market.

Kiper certainly isn’t going to be the only draft analyst to mock a defensive end to the Eagles leading up to April. It’s an obvious position of need for Philadelphia with Brandon Graham being a free agent, Chris Long potentially retiring, and Michael Bennett turning 34 in November. The fact that this year’s defensive line class is so strong — Howie Roseman called it “historically great” — makes it even more likely the Eagles’ first-round pick will be a pass rusher.

The 22-year-old Sweat began his college football career at Michigan State before transferring to Mississippi State as a junior. In two years with the Bulldogs, Sweat logged 101 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. That’s obviously quality production.

A very important and noteworthy thing is that the Eagles would have two players with the last name “Sweat” if they drafted this dude. Teaming up Montez with Eagles 2018 fourth-round pick Josh Sweat would cause a whole lot of perspiration. (I’m logging off now.)

Here’s a scouting report on Sweat from The Draft Network:

Montez Sweat projects favorably as a base 4-3 defensive end at the NFL level. Sweat illustrates textbook extension in his attack of blocks and his separation skills enable to him win at the line of scrimmage with consistency. Sweat’s lack of mobility through the hips will restrict him as a space defender, he needs to play with his hand in the dirt at all times to make the most of his linear explosiveness and skills stacking blockers.

College highlights:

Grade the pick: