The San Francisco 49ers are in the process of meeting with and working out a host of NFL Draft prospects. We learned earlier this week that the team has a workout planned with UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller, and now, NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline is reporting the team has a workout planned with Florida State pass rusher Josh Sweat.
Matt Barrows has some more specifics on both workouts. He is reporting the 49ers’ offensive line coach, John Benton, conducted the Miller workout on Tuesday in Southern California. Miller worked out for Benton alongside center/guard Scott Quessenberry. Barrows then said the 49ers will send defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina to Tallahassee later this week to work out Sweat.
Sweat held his Pro Day this week, and did drills at both defensive end and outside linebacker. Barrows suggested him as a possibility at strong side linebacker and as an edge rusher.
He has dealt with significant injuries to his left knee. During his senior year of high school in 2015, he tore his ACL and dislocated the kneecap. In 2016, he tore the meniscus on the same knee. By all accounts he is fully recovered, and should be able to build on his production. In 2016, he had seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss. In 2017, he had 5.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss.
Lance Zierlein had this to say about Sweat in his scouting report:
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.