Redskins Trade Up to Draft Montez Sweat After Selecting QB Dwayne Haskins

The Washington Redskins drafted Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft Thursday. 

Sweat was Washington's second pick of the first round after quarterback Dwayne Haskins at No. 15. The Redskins made a deal with the Indianapolis Colts to get back in the first round to take the edge-rusher. 

Early returns for the Redskins' draft class have been very positive:

The 6'6", 245-pound Sweat amassed 22.5 sacks and 101 tackles in two seasons after transferring from Michigan State.

Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller ranked Sweat as the No. 4 edge-rusher and No. 12 position player overall. The ex-Bulldog is part of a stacked defensive line class, as Miller ranked 11 defensive linemen within the top 20.

Montez Sweat NFL Draft 2019: Scouting Report, Grade for Redskins Rookie

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Sweat also made waves at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a blistering 4.41-second 40-yard dash.

Numerous sources, including Kyle Crabbs of Draft Network and Gavino Borquez of Draft Wire, have Sweat projected as a 4-3 defensive end.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Sweat to Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (a comparison Miller also made) and wrote the following:

"Some will see Sweat as a leggy edge prospect with average play strength and a lack of refinement in his pass rush. I see a talent, similar to Danielle Hunter out of LSU, with above-average length and a prospect who should continue to grow into his frame, allowing him to unleash his rush flashes into a consistent attack. His transition as an NFL rusher will take some time, but like Hunter, he should come out on the other side as a good, impact starter as an every-down edge defender."

Hunter has emerged as a dominant defensive end, racking up 14.5 sacks and 72 tackles in a 2018 campaign that ended with a Pro Bowl. If Sweat develops into a similar player, then Washington will have made a great selection.

Sweat was originally diagnosed with a heart condition at the NFL Scouting Combine, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday (h/t NFL.com's Adam Maya) he may have been misdiagnosed. 

Washington needed help off the edge opposite Ryan Kerrigan. If Sweat's health doesn't hinder his ability on the field, he is going to be a steal at this point for the team.