Green Bay Packers mock draft: Full 7 rounds
![ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the trophy while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alabama won 26-23. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the trophy while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alabama won 26-23. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/828b1d378075ed4727f21e405480d6d22c05e7b6904c139e54617b0bbcb65e09.jpg)
Round 4, No. 101: Josh Sweat, Edge, Florida State
One of the more highly touted defensive players to come into college football the past few years was Sweat. A dynamic athlete who ran a 4.53 40 at the combine and jumped 39.5 inches, he checks off all the boxes in that aspect. Statistically, he also shows well with 14.5 career sacks and 29 tackles for a loss.
And he was able to do this while showing incredible determination and drive after a career-threatening injury in high school. This story by former Packer beat writer Tyler Dunne paints a strong picture of the type of player the Packers would be getting in the locker room. The experts also are pretty high on him.
From Lance Zierlein:
"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."
From Matt Miller:
"Josh Sweat has first-round athleticism but his medicals will be huge in determining where he is drafted. If teams focus on his tools, he could hear his name called well ahead of our projection. That said, if they get hung up on medicals or his uneven production, he might be a Day 3 player."
As a Packer, Sweat would be a good bookend to Nick Perry on the edge during third downs with his speed compared with Perry’s strength. He would be a good project to work one-on-one with Clay Matthews as well to work on his bend and first step to tap into his potential. His upside is one of the highest in this class for the Edge, but he is a work in progress and an injury risk.
For other Edge rushers to keep an eye on, Sampson has you covered.