Philadelphia Eagles: Regrading 2018’s draft class after three seasons
By Ben Swanger
DE. Florida State. Josh Sweat. 4. player. Pick Analysis. 54. Scouting Report
Josh Sweat has continued to improve as a Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher.
Florida State product Josh Sweat came out of college with serious knee concerns causing multiple teams to take him off their draft boards, however, the Philadelphia Eagles rolled the dice and it has paid off.
Over the last two seasons, Sweat has more sacks than J.J. Watt and more tackles for loss than Jadeveon Clowney. In his breakout 2020 campaign he logged 38 tackles, 11 QB hits, six sacks, and three forced fumbles on just 38 percent of defensive snaps. Talk about making the most of limited opportunities.
Sweat has great bend when coming around the edge with plus speed and quickness. He graded out as one of the top defensive ends at the 2018 NFL Combine, and this past season was a testament to those testing numbers.
In high school, Sweat was a highly-touted five-star recruit, however, a gruesome knee injury threatened not only his playing career but his entire left leg. Luckily, no arteries were affected by three torn ligaments and his playing career continued as a Seminole where he logged 29 sacks in three seasons. After being told by doctors his career was over due to the knee injury, Sweat’s comeback story is among the game’s best as he has turned into a top rotational piece for the Eagles defensive front.
Sweat is still only 23 years of age and his ceiling is only continuing to rise. Following the Eagles selection of Sweat with the 130th pick, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said, “Without the knee injury, he’s a first-round pick.”
The Eagles are hopeful Sweat’s knee issues are behind him as he’s played in 30 games over the course of the last two seasons. Philadelphia hasn’t been a team to trot out defensive ends for a high volume snap count, but with a new coaching staff, Sweat could step up in 2021 as a Pro Bowl-level player given the appropriate amount of opportunities in his contract year.
Verdict: Given Sweat’s fourth-round selection, young age, and ceiling, Roseman earns an A for this pick.