2018 Draft Prospects

[jim1]

I would certainly consider Miller with our 2nd rd pick, I don't think that he'll last that long. Great feet and size, very good kickslide and power, impressive player.

 

[DKphin]

DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio St. 6-5 270



Combine Results:
Arm - 33 1/8
Hand - 10
40 - DNP
Bench - DNP
Vertical - 35.0
Broad - 9'8"
3 Cone - 6.84
20 yd. shuttle - 4.32
60 yd. shuttle - 11.61

Strengths
Plays with consistent pad level and good bend at point of attack. Attacks with square pads and a wide, balanced base. Sinks hips and braces up with arm extension when setting the edge. Possesses good football intelligence and is very aware. Quick to spot play-action. Has stick-and-move hands to punch and peek past the blocker to find the football. Motor takes him to plays that others will quit on. Always finds himself in tackle-ready position and usually finishes. Expert level hand fighter as pass rusher. Will throw three or four straight slaps and chops to prevent tackle from getting his punch locked in. Shows tackles a strong charge before unleashing an effective spin counter back inside.
Weaknesses
More worker bee than twitchy athlete. Burst to the ball is just average. Doesn't get early wins at the point of attack. Pursuit speed is just average and he'll come up just short of the tackle at times. Can be a little tight when trying to corner and flatten as a pass rusher. Can be run up and past the quarterback. Arc-runner rather than move-maker as a rusher. Below average conversion of speed-to-power.
Sources Tell Us
"I think he's going to end up being a good pro. He plays hard all the time. He just needs to add a little more muscle and find a go-to move that he can win with as a rusher and he'll be a consistent starter for years." -- NFC team director of college scouting
NFL Comparison
Preston Smith
Bottom Line
Hubbard will pass the eyeball test with his height, weight, and build, but he's missing the plus athleticism to take him over the top as a pass rusher. His tape is solid, but nothing jumps off the screen. Teams looking for a big time edge rusher won't get too excited by him, but he will appeal to defensive coordinators looking for guys with size and motor to plug into a blitz-heavy, twist-happy defense. Hubbard could become an early starter as a strong-side defensive end for a 4-3 defense.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/sam-hubbard?id=2559900

 

[DKphin]

OT Kolton Miller, UCLA 6-8 309



Combine Results:
Arm - 34
Hand - 10 3/4
40 - 4.95(10yd - 1.68)
Bench - 24
Vertical - 31.5
Broad - 10'1"
3 Cone -7.34

Kolton Miller features a long and athletic frame. His height and arm length help him make the pass rusher’s path to the quarterback more difficult. Despite his overall length, Miller is a good athlete with quick feet and balance.
This is an offensive tackle prospect who works with good technique which helps him succeed. Miller needs to be committed to keeping his pads down or risk exposing too much of his frame. Offensive tackles with his height tend to struggle maintaining leverage.
However, this hasn’t been much of an issue for Miller to this point in his career. He does a great job keeping a wide base which helps his balance and pad level. Miller also keeps his hands out in front which keeps the defenders off his frame.
He has enough foot speed and overall quickness to protect the edge. This combined with his long arms make it difficult for pass rushers to turn the corner.
Miller shows enough balanced and change of direction ability to adjust to inside counters. The one area he needs to improve is his overall strength. Miller’s frame is a little on the thin side for an offensive tackle. He needs to add some bulk to help him anchor against the more powerful defenders.
His effectiveness as a pass protector would also improve if he improved his upper body strength. Miller needs to develop heavier hands so that he can latch on to the pass rushers. This is something that also extends to the running game.
Miller shows a good aggressive approach to run blocking, but again his effectiveness would improve with added strength. The strength concern isn’t a major issue as Miller will get plenty of help from an NFL strength coach.
Overall, Miller’s combination of length and athleticism makes him a very strong prospect. He is someone who can protect the quarterback which is something NFL coaches covet. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see his stock rise as we work through the process. Miller is absolutely in the 1st round mix.

https://withthefirstpick.com/2017/12/16/kolton-miller-ucla-2018-nfl-draft-scouting-report/

 

[DKphin]

ILB/OLB Darius Leonard, South Carolina St. 6-2 234



Combine Results:
Arm - 34 3/8
Hand - 10 1/4
40 - 4.70
Bench - 17
Vertical - DNP
Broad - DNP
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Long, angular frame that is hard to square up for blockers. Twitchy long-strider in open field with loose hips and rare pursuit speed. Excellent reactive athleticism. Uses quick, darting shuffle steps to elude second level blockers and mirror runners cutting from gap to gap. Played with desired discipline and gap integrity in holding 2016 MEAC Offensive Player of the year and current Chicago Bear, Tarik Cohen, to his worst performance. Pads stay square to the line. Posted high-impact production for four consecutive years. Patient tackler. Blazing closing speed and outstanding sideline-to-sideline range. Eyes process quickly. Piled on 19 tackles in loss to Clemson in 2016. Effective playing off of blocks and finding the ball carrier. Fluid in zone drops or when matching up in man coverage. Has six career interceptions.
Weaknesses
After adding 50 pounds during his stay in college, his frame may be beginning to max out. Thin through arms and chest and lacks desired, NFL play strength. Has very little margin for error when taking on climbing offensive linemen. Doesn't always take efficient routes around traffic in his pursuit. Play demeanor lacks aggression usually spotted at linebacker. Relies on athleticism to slip blocks on second level rather than racing downhill ahead of them. Willing hitter but needs to add more pop behind his pads. Can still improve instincts and pattern reading in man coverage.
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
Sources Tell Us
"He's a good worker and good learner and I think he has a chance to be a war daddy once he has an NFL training table and strength program behind him." - AFC area scout
NFL Comparison
Wesley Woodyard
Bottom Line
Long and twitchy with athletic ability and straight-line speed. Leonard has packed on the pounds since hitting campus, but it hasn't compromised his play speed as he has posted dominant production throughout. He lacks play strength and there are times you want to see more nasty in his field demeanor, but he has the traits and talent to become a good, three-down linebacker who can play 3-4 inside backer or 4-3 WILL.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/darius-leonard?id=2559818

 

[DKphin]

OLB/DE Lorenzo Carter, Georgia 6-5 250



Combine Results:
Arm - 32
Hand - 9 5/8
40 - 4.50
Bench - DNP
Vertical - 36.0
Broad - 10'10"
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Tremendously long and rangy. Long strider with ability to cover ground quickly and close on wide flowing plays. Effective use of arm length. Consistent punch and separation against blocks. Take contain responsibilities seriously. Plus quickness in lateral slides. Frame unravels to catch running backs who think they are in the clear. Uses long-arm stab to access blocker's frame and set the edge. Build-up speed creates downfield angles to the sideline to challenge ball carriers and receivers after catch. Active as tackler to search for and yank at the football. Forced and recovered six career fumbles. Has edge-threatening get-off. Uses slinky upper body to slide around blocker's punch. Flashes talent to flip hips around the arc and flatten to the quarterback. Posted 15 career sacks.
Weaknesses
Gangly frame begging for more weight and muscle. Thin legs offer subpar base. Long tackles can neutralize his length and push him around. Not ready to handle downhill rushing attack headed for his doorstep. Herd tackler with just moderate solo numbers. More of a straight-line mover than expected. Rush can be too easily stalled when rushing as an end. Slow to activate hands as a pass rusher. Will need to develop rush plan and hand usage to counter his lack of play strength. Not enough boom for conversion of speed to power.
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
Sources Tell Us
"He was a really big deal coming out but I didn't think he developed as much after his freshman year as I expected him to. He's been in a lot of different roles over there but this year I thought he looked more aggressive and more comfortable outside." -- SEC area scout for NFC team
NFL Comparison
Na'il Diggs
Bottom Line
Carter was a five-star prospect and one of the most heralded players in the nation when he was recruited by Georgia, but he never made the impact expected of him as a Bulldog. However, Carter played with increased toughness and confidence this year and his NFL potential began to reassert itself once again. Carter is an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or 4-3 with sideline sideline-to-sideline range and the tools to become a productive edge rusher in sub-packages. He needs to add more bulk, but he is a future NFL starter.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/lorenzo-carter?id=2560150

 

[DKphin]

SS Van Smith, Clemson 5-11 186



Combine Results:
Arm - 30 1/8
Hand - 8 3/4
40 - 4.61
Bench - DNP
Vertical - 29.5
Broad - DNP
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths:
To start, Van Smith plays physical for his size. Not to mention, he can cover a lot of ground quickly both in run support and pass coverage. The combination of speed and instincts make him a promising prospect on day three. As a final point, Smith comes from a line of Clemson safeties that have found success early in their NFL careers.
Weaknesses:
His tackling is by far my biggest concern transitioning to the league. Reason being, Smith is conservative, or hesitant, in run support. Obviously, NFL safeties need to be tenacious tacklers in the open field and tenacious, Smith is not. In conclusion, his draft stock can be inflated if he commits himself more to run support.

https://www.nflsnext.com/van-smith-safety-clemson/

 

[DKphin]

FS Justin Reid, Stanford 6-0 207(Eric Reid's brother)

No game tape


Combine Results:
Arm - 31 5/8
Hand - 9 3/4
40 - 4.40
Bench - 16
Vertical - 36.5
Broad - 10'8"
3 Cone - 6.65
20 yd. shuttle - 4.15
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths:
Obviously, it doesn’t necessarily help him that his brother has been successful in the league, but you should recognize the last name Reid. Much like his brother, Justin is big and plays physical. He attacks in the run game, can shed blocks, and secures tackles in the open field. Not to mention, neither Reid is afraid to “lay the wood.” Stanford uses him in the nickel and he is capable in man with natural coverage instincts. To my belief, he’ll time well at the combine and should garner interest as a scheme-versatile, second-round prospect.
Weaknesses:
To be honest, there is not a lot of Justin Reid’s game that I don’t like. He’s not as fast as some safeties in the class would be my main concern. Of course, there is the question whether or not he will come out this year, but if I were him, I’d declare. On top of that, you have to look at his production. He hasn’t had an interception since October 7th, and Reid has only recorded one pass breakup since September. All in all, he may struggle with his decision to come out and, in my opinion, Justin Reid will be OK either way.\
Overall:
Justin Reid is the prototypical safety that can play sideline to sideline who deserves early day-two looks. That is to say, this Stanford Cardinal has good size, plays physical, and can run. Not to mention, Reid is capable covering man to man in the nickel and shows the ability to throw off blockers. All things considered, much like his brother, Justin Reid should enjoy a long career in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: Eric Reid

https://www.nflsnext.com/justin-reid-safety-stanford/

 

[DKphin]

CB Josh Jackson, Iowa 6-0 196



Combine Results:
Arm - 31 1/8
Hand - 9 3/8
40 - 4.56
Bench - 18
Vertical - 38.0
Broad - 10'3"
3 Cone - 6.86
20 yd. shuttle - 4.03
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Had mind-blowing ball-hawking season with 27 passes defensed including eight interceptions. Tall with long arms. Allowed 41.3 percent completion rate. Made a play on 25.7 percent of his targets. Makes his own fortune. Instincts are top-notch. Plays the ball and not the man. Flashed supreme ball skills. High-point winner with ability to pull down the one-hand grab. Put together monster performances in big games. Finished with three interceptions in upset win over Ohio State and two pick-sixes against Wisconsin. Anticipates routes. Allowed no touchdowns after Week 4. Spotlight player. Lauded for positive attitude and strong work ethic.
Weaknesses
One-year wonder. Has just 14 career starts. Early opener from press. Needs more experience and more patience. Too easily influenced by release fakes at the line of scrimmage. Can be turned by quality routes. Doesn't flash a big chase burst when he gets behind on the routes (crossers). Needs to tighten up tackling. Questions are being raised about his long speed. Buys into route breaks a little too hard from trail and can be double-moved.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/josh-jackson?id=2560030

 

[DKphin]

QB Luke Falk, Washington St. 6-3 215



Combine Results:
Arm - 32
Hand - 9 1/4
40 - DNP
Bench - DNP
Vertical - 26.5
Broad - 8'7"
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Tall quarterback who stands tall in the pocket throughout the rep. Can see over the murk up front. Quick setup in the pocket with bounding, easy feet. Possesses a quick, compact release. Spins a pretty spiral. Gets ball out instantly and accurately on short throws and throws in front of him. Shows an ability to attack one-on-one defenders with accurate fades and back-shoulder throws. Able to work from sideline to sideline with his progressions. Accurate timing throws on deep outs are second nature after years in this offense. Has arm talent to uncork accurate strikes when falling off-balance. Able to slide in all directions inside pocket to buy additional time. Throws very catchable ball that hits receivers in stride. Will look-off high safety out of position to open the middle of the field for a post throw. Throws with plus ball placement.
Weaknesses
Quick release disguises inconsistent arm strength. Field side throws and attempts to deep middle will float allowing defenders time to close. Needs to work on driving ball with lower trajectory between the hash. Too willing to make ill-advised, off-balance throws down the field. Inconsistency with anticipatory throws is a concern. Waits too long to cut it loose leading receivers into oncoming traffic. Slow to see blitzers and misses hot routes. Mobility is below average. Sacked 125 times in his career. Pocket poise took downturns at various points during season. Decision making stalls out after getting through early reads. Majority of interceptions came against zone. Nonchalant short touch throws defaulting to back foot releases. Must prove he can win beyond his system. Almost 74 percent of his pass attempts were less than 10 yards.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
Sources Tell Us
"He's gotten so beat up in that offense that his health and poise are huge concerns for me moving forward. I was really high on him after his sophomore year but he hasn't gotten any better." -- NFC team West Coast scout
NFL Comparison
Mike Glennon
Bottom Line
Tall, rhythm passer with good natural accuracy and years of quality production who is much more comfortable working the perimeter and against man coverage. Falk's lack of protection and average mobility has lead to a tremendous amount of sacks and quarterback hits that may have taken a toll on him. While he can throw with touch and accuracy, his deep and intermediate accuracy dipped this season. There are some holes that could be hard to correct in Falk's game and "average starter" may be his ceiling.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/luke-falk?id=2559938

 

[DKphin]

RB Sony Michel, Georgia 5-10 214



Combine Results:
Arm - 31 1/4
Hand - 9 1/4
40 - 4.54
Bench - 22
Vertical - DNP
Broad - DNP
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - 4.21
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Muscular, well-proportioned frame. Decisive runner who rarely takes unnecessary losses by trying to be the hero. Runs with discipline and looks for the optimal path. Able to gather and cut quickly as inside zone and gap runner. Has good burst after cuts. Flashes acceleration to climb past linebackers and onto safeties quickly. Six of his touchdown runs went for 16 yards or more this year. Stout lower body can rip through arm tackles and allows for plus balance through contact. Has good open field vision to extend runs with second level moves, but will drop his pads and meet force with force when it's time to finish. Understands the art of setting up lead blockers and pulling guards. Highly respected, vocal leader. Excellent in blitz pickup. Understands his blocking responsibilities and will square up and take on rushers. Two-year captain.
Weaknesses
Has some tightness in his hips. Lack of agility precludes him from making late cuts to elude incoming tacklers. Low knee action in early stages of the run causes him to trip over blockers feet when trying to squeeze through tight running lanes. More angular runner than one who can make sharp cuts. Had some huge rushing lanes to work with thanks to scheme and improved blocking in 2017. Open field balance is inconsistent. Plays with aging bull mentality in short yardage and needs to improve his feel for finding creases. Will duck head and finish prematurely if he doesn't see an early opening to work with. Serviceable as pass catcher, but has had issues catching it cleanly.
Draft Projection
Rounds 2
NFL Comparison
Knowshon Moreno
Bottom Line
Michel is a well-built, no-nonsense runner who is able to combine vision, burst, and physicality. While he can make open field cuts to find additional yardage, his running style is more angular in nature and he thrives when playing north-south. He's not the most creative runner and he lacks some finesse, but his size, pass protection and ability to create yardage make him a natural fit as a future NFL starter.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/sony-michel?id=2559842

 

[DKphin]

WR Anthony Miller, Memphis 5-11 201



Combine Results:
Arm - 31 5/8
Hand - 10
40 - DNP
Bench - 22
Vertical - DNP
Broad - DNP
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - DNP
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Rapid-fire stutter steps and head fakes defeat outside and inside leverage. Effective setting up route-stems. Accelerates out of cuts creating throwing window. Scratches and claws over top of press and has early quickness to stack them. Can work inside or outside and has been effective on all three levels. Former walk-on with elevated level of competitiveness. Field fast throughout the route. Top notch ball tracker whose focus sharpens down the field. Body adjustments to haul in challenging catches is excellent. Works with scrambling quarterbacks. Slick with his feet near the sideline. Creates yardage after the catch.
Weaknesses
Short stepper. Pops straight up before breaking route off and could be challenged by zone corners looking to disrupt his momentum with redirects. Routes carry wasted motion with excessive arm and upper body action. Might be quicker than fast. Outstanding focus on deep throws turns into shoddy concentration on short ones. Will drop and double catch simple, short throws. Ball security is a concern after the catch with five career fumbles.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
NFL Comparison
Kendall Wright
Bottom Line
Ultra-competitive and highly productive, Miller plays with a chip on his shoulder that has driven him to out-work the man across from him. While he played both inside and out for Memphis, some teams could struggle with figuring out his best fit. His inconsistent hands are definitely a concern, but his ability to get open and to work all three levels of the field increase his chances for success as a WR3.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/anthony-miller?id=2559909

 

[DKphin]

TE Ian Thomas, Indiana 6-3 259



Combine Results:
Arm - 32 1/2
Hand - 10
40 - 4.74
Bench - 16
Vertical -
Broad - 9'3"
3 Cone - 7.50
20 yd. shuttle - 4.75
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
In his building he's known as "humble and focused" and scouts say he loves football. Athletic frame is well-proportioned and NFL-ready. Able to gain space from defenders coming out of his turns. Physical through route contact. Has speed to threaten seams or stack defender on deep throw outside the numbers. Hands are good enough. Believes in fight over flight when the ball is in his hands. Uses stiff-arm to punish defensive backs who are looking to grab and drag him down. Possesses good core and lower body strength. Shows an ability to bend and drive defensive ends into a sealed position. Blocking got substantially better as season progressed and he was allowed to work more in-line than as a move blocker. Has ability to sustain and become a very effective blocker from the slot.
Weaknesses
Effort and aggression is missing when asked to come across formation as wham blocker or on split-zone looks. Hand placement needs work. Outside hand almost always flies outside the frame of opponent. Inconsistent sifting and finding targets as move blocker. Talented but raw. Appears to count steps in routes slowing his play speed. Scouts say he needs additional reps. Routes are rounded and lack a level of misdirection for defenders. Didn't have to run much of the route tree and will need time to learn it as a pro. Leaves yardage on the field with his overwhelming desire to punish rather than elude after the catch.
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
NFL Comparison
Jermaine Gresham
Bottom Line
Thomas reminds me of Jermaine Gresham when he came out of Oklahoma, not the version you see today. Like Gresham, Thomas has the bend and "man strength" to become a successful in-line blocker if he improves his hand placement and grit. His production is lacking due to shorter two-year run at Indiana and a senior season filled with injuries, but it is easy to see NFL ability that just needs coaching and more experience. Thomas is an ascending combination tight end with an ability to become a good NFL starter who can be flexed around the field.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/ian-thomas?id=2559849

 

[DKphin]

OC Mason Cole, Michigan 6-4 307



Combine Results:
Arm - 32 1/8
Hand - 9 5/8
40 - 5.23(10yd - 1.73)
Bench - 23
Vertical - 23.5
Broad - 8'8"
3 Cone - 7.77

Strengths
Thick bubble. Offers versatility up and down the line with starts at center and tackle. Beyond durable. Has started every game since his freshman year of high school totaling 104 total starts. Good athlete. Gets out of his stance and around the corner with good quickness as lead blocker. Shows reactive quickness to handle traps and A-gap blitzers. Snaps hips into angle blocks to turn defender's pads. Active to displace defender's punch and re-assert his own. Intelligent and aware in pass pro. Feels twists. Motor is great. Takes what should be a loss and turns it into a push.
Weaknesses
Lacks broadness of shoulders. Needs to be faster with his hands. Hand placement is sloppy and falls off the mark. Lacks snatch-and-latch hand strength to sustain. Play strength and contact balance are inconsistent. Could struggle when matched with power across from him. Unable to prevent power players from playing through his lateral engagements and eliminating his early advantage. Needs to gather weight on second level climbs. Overshoots landmarks at times. Plays with some lean and lunge in pass pro at times.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
NFL Comparison
Ryan Jensen
Bottom Line
Consistent center prospect with some position flex and incredible durability dating all the way back to his high school days. Cole relies on athleticism over power and will have to improve his hand usage and balance in order to match up against the talent he will see on the next level. While he has two years of starting experience at tackle, he's too inconsistent in protection to hold up there for very long. Cole could become an early starter, but his ceiling might not be higher than average starter.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/mason-cole?id=2560089

 

[DKphin]

DT Harrison Phillips, Stanford 6-3 307



Combine Results:
Arm - 33 7/8
Hand - 10 3/8
40 - 5.21
Bench - 42
Vertical - 32.0
Broad - 8'7"
3 Cone - 7.28
20 yd. shuttle - 4.50
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Thick boned, burly frame. Not the greatest athlete, but makes a ton of plays. Extremely high tackle count this season for interior defender. Three-time high school state wrestling champ with strong core and power to torque blockers from his hips. Plays square and against double teams and can recover and anchor. Quality edge setter. Can peek-a-boo either gap to follow the runner. Background as scrambler in wrestling makes it hard for offensive linemen to finish their blocks against him. Active and determined. Able to drive upfield through angle blocks and alter the run lane. Uses basic but effective spin move to disengage from clutter. Pocket pusher who can force quarterback to move his feet. Arm over move can give him early access to quarterback against single blocks.
Weaknesses
Has build of a guard. Has higher center of gravity than most nose guards. Plays too straight-legged robbing him of base width and balance. Finds himself on the ground too often. More active than athletic. Looks plodding in lateral movement and change of direction. Unable to sink and shift with adequate change of direction. Quick lineman can cross his face and find positioning to wall him off. Lacks a plan as a rusher. Can get better with using hands as rush weapons. Secondary rush can get bogged down.
Draft Projection
Rounds 1-2
Sources Tell Us
"I'm kind of surprised at how high the media scout types are on him. Where do you play him? Loses balance which makes nose tough and he doesn’t have athleticism to play with three-technique. But I get that he makes a bunch of plays and he's obviously a strong guy. I just see him as a day three player." -- NFC West Coast scout
NFL Comparison
Ryan Glasgow
Bottom Line
Phillips plays a little upright and looks more like a guard than nose, but he definitely has the leverage and power to play to anchor and muddy the run game waters. Phillips has a feel for blocking schemes and is able to handle down blocks and double teams while allow linebackers to flow to the ball. As a former wrestler, he's a natural scrambler with non-traditional ways of finding the football and finding the quarterback. He has early starter potential and could find snaps on passing downs as well.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/harrison-phillips?id=2560069

 

[DKphin]

DE/OLB Josh Sweat, Florida St. 6-5 251



Combine Results:
Arm - 34 5/8
Hand - 10 1/4
40 - 4.53
Bench - DNP
Vertical - 39.5
Broad - 10'4"
3 Cone - DNP
20 yd. shuttle - 4.28
60 yd. shuttle - DNP

Strengths
Despite injuries, still flashes good athletic ability. Can play with a hand down or standing. Fluid enough to drop into space. Has immediate change of direction talent with almost no stall in his transition. Talented tackler with impressive reactive athleticism. Able to disengage and gather into a tackle-ready position quickly. Uses long arms to ensnare, wrap, and finish runners. Has tools to be an edge-setter against tight ends. Hands are active and can swipe away outside hand of tackle to help grease the edge. Capable of flipping hips over the top of pass setting tackles. Able to flatten and close with burst once he gets the edge. Uses forward lean and hip thrust to generate speed to power. Gives punching tackles a moving target to strike. Can reduce inside as a rusher. His stride length and lateral quickness are a plus in twist game.
Weaknesses
Hits snooze button off the snap and is always the last one out of his stance. Late start creates challenges beating tackles upfield. Frame carries a lean lower body. Forced to work overtime to try and anchor against power. Lacks leg drive to play through redirect blocks. In a constant state of forward lean creating below average contact balance. Drops head and loses sight on ball carrier. Segmented mover as pass rusher with no real plan. Decelerates when approaching the edge. Hard to find a legitimate inside counter move on tape. Motor runs hot and cold. Scouts are concerned with his medicals. Had severe knee injury his senior year of high school and a meniscus injury in 2016.
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
Sources Tell Us
"I wish I could just hang onto my draft grade until after we saw how he does with combine medicals. If he checks out medically then I see a coachable player with a ton of upside as a pass rusher." - AFC East Coast scout
NFL Comparison
Barkevious Mingo
Bottom Line
Sweat has the length, frame and athletic qualities to fit right in as a 3-4 SAM or rush linebacker, but he needs to go to school with a position coach or a talented veteran to help unlock his pass rush potential. Sweat's initial quickness and issues with contact balance could hinder his ability to play with his hand down. He has the ability to become a decent NFL starter but there is a wide disparity between his ceiling and floor thanks to concerns surrounding the current and future health of his knee.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/josh-sweat?id=2559816