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Carolina Panthers: Montez Sweat should remain a target after health revelation

By Brandon Scott

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Montez Sweat of Mississippi State works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Montez Sweat of Mississippi State works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Montez Sweat may remain available when the Carolina Panthers are first on the clock.

The depth of skill at the defensive end position is abundant for rookies this year and that benefits the Carolina Panthers. Needing to improve their pressure and find a player who can replace future Hall of Fame inductee Julius Peppers, it is quickly becoming apparent that general manager Marty Hurney is eyeing an edge rusher for the Panthers and their first-round (No. 16 overall) pick.

Fortunately, an abundance of intriguing prospects should be available but perhaps one of the best may fall to Carolina. While there is no rookie who can immediately replace Peppers presence on the field or in the locker room, landing a top-10 pick without having to trade up in order to do so would be fortunate.

Montez Sweat, from Mississippi State University, has been projected as such a player by many outlets but recent revelations regarding a heart condition could affect where he goes in the draft. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, health testing at the NFL Combine indicated Sweat has a heart condition. Gone undetected previously, Sweat was allowed to complete his workouts and turned in an impressive performance.

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Teams that have Sweat on their current draft boards may now be hesitant, especially with the talent pool available at the position. If so, he may find himself waiting to be called when Hurney and the Panthers are on the clock in the first-round.

It wouldn’t be the first time Carolina took a chance on medical revelations from the combine. Back in 2013, Star Lotulelei was not allowed to participate in drills due to medical clearance and a heart issue but the Panthers did some research and after being cleared, he was available when then GM David Gettleman selected Lotulelei No. 14 overall.

We may never know if other teams passed on him due to varying levels of concern but four other defensive lineman, including a defensive tackle, were all selected prior to Lotulelei. Sweat now finds himself in a similar predicament but some Panthers research and other teams opting to pass could make him a likely first-round target next month.

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The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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