2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Lions could take in Round 1

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in action against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Montez Sweat

Sweat was flying up most team’s draft boards until news of his heart issue broke. The Lions picking him at No. 8 obviously depends on their doctors being comfortable with his medical status.

If his heart condition doesn’t impact his career, he’s got a chance to be a steal for the team that takes him. That’s true even if the Lions select him at No. 8. His Combine performance coupled with his productivity at Mississippi State show him to be an edge rusher with both a high floor and a high ceiling.

Think of Sweat as a combination of what’s good about Gary and Burns. He’s not quite as big as the Michigan product, but he carries weight much better than Burns. He also shows more burst and bend off the edge than either of the previous players on this list.

Sweat is a guy who should be able to start for an NFL team right from the word go. Perhaps more importantly, he’s got the size and speed to stay on the field for as many downs as his stamina can handle. He’s not a player you have to shuffle in and out of the lineup based on situation.

Next. Full 7-round mock draft for the Lions and Matt Patricia. dark

Lining Flowers up on one edge and Sweat on the other would give the Lions a pair of really talented edge rushers to build around. It’s a defensive blueprint that Patricia could really get behind.

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