One of the players who dominated the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, Montez Sweat could be selected very early once the draft starts in April. However, one thing teams will have to weigh is the fact that the Mississippi State product has a pre-existing heart condition.
The condition caused combine doctors to take a very close look at Sweat, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
“Multiple sources say that combine doctors took a thorough look at Sweat because of a pre-existing heart condition. This was not publicly known before Indy.”
The condition did not keep Sweat from performing on the field (and wowing, we might add), which indicates the condition isn’t one that could threaten his health.
“Because of privacy issues we are not allowed to comment specifically. But I will tell you that this is not news,” his agents said, per Rapoport. “Montez is the same person that was medically cleared to play and dominate the SEC, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL combine. No change in health and no change in domination!”
In the past, we’ve seen other players like Maurice Hurst last year who were kept off the field during the combine due to their heart conditions. In Hurst’s case, that also tanked his stock. Before the diagnosis, he was considered a first-round talent. In the end, he went in Round 5.
Based on the way things have shaken out for Sweat, it doesn’t appear his stock will take much of a hit, if any. However, Rapoport did write that, “NFL teams are in the process of assessing how they will handle the news.”