T’Vondre Sweat Can Takeover Games

Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat is one of my favorite prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

I’ve loved the big man now for two straight seasons while evaluating 12 of his games during that time. I couldn’t get enough of watching him on film. That’s always a good sign.

Sweat flashes game-wrecking nasty brute power.

It’s the kind of power that can send a 300-pound offensive lineman flying like a rag doll. I saw him do that against Oklahoma.

There’s a premium placed on defensive linemen who can blow up and disrupt the pocket in today’s NFL (where 32/32 teams pass more than they run). This is especially true for interior defensive tackles who can gut the pocket right into the quarterback’s face.

That’s Sweat.

This dude is an absolute force of nature who can look like a man amongst boys out there.

The elephant in the room

If Sweat played every play like he’s capable of, he’d wreck offensive game plans. He’s unblockable and unstoppable when he’s ‘on.’

Unfortunately, that’s not the case, otherwise he’d be the No. 1 player on my board. However, the rest of the time isn’t too bad either. Sweat draws a lot of double teams, which frees up fellow defenders to make plays. He also makes his presence felt on other reps when he gets some movement and moves guards and centers back into the pocket on passing plays.

Texas did a good job of keeping him rested and fresh by rotating him in and out on the defensive line.

Sweat is decent most of the time and he’s the best player on the field at other times

Runningbacks beware

Against the run, Sweat takes up space and he’s about impossible to move out of the way. He’s a rock-solid equally distributed 366 pounds. Sweat is thick as he is stout.

This Texas defensive tackle either occupies space or he’s sometimes able to come off blocks and hit like a ton of bricks. He sledgehammers runningbacks trying to weave their way through lanes in his vicinity. He knows how to put every ounce of his 366 pounds into tackling.

Sweat punishes ball carriers like it’s personal.

Not getting the love

Surprisingly, this prospect who gives off ‘Jalen Carter vibes’ at times on film has only been mocked with a first-round grade by under 15% of mainstream NFL Draft platforms (nflmockdraftdatabase.com).

Guys with Sweat’s traits that translate to film don’t grow on trees

He has freakish athletic ability and an insane level of natural power. Plus, he has dominant size.

I’ll make up for it. I’ll give him the love. It’s all about finding difference-makers in the first round. Again, it’s not on every rep, but I charted it with chicken scratches in my notes, he took over between 4 and 11 plays in every one of these games outlined below. That moves the meter.

#93 T’Vondre Sweat 6-foot-4 (and 1/2), 366 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 12.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 25, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

T’Vondre Sweat: Human Avalanche (6 games evaluated)

2023 game film reviewed: Kansas State, Alabama, Houston, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Sweat Combine Results

Pro Football Focus: 585 pass rush snaps (past two seasons) resulted in two sacks, seven quarterback hits, 44 quarterback hurries, and 11 batted passes

2023 stats: 45 tackles (18 solo), 27 assists, 2 sacks, 5 batted passes

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A prospect who brings massive size and power to the defensive line. Best at the end of halves or at the end of the games. Will empty the gas tank. Moves around on the defensive line. Uses hands well at the point of attack pass rushing. Wrecking ball at times. Puts himself in the quarterback’s mind with his ability to penetrate up the middle. Incredible short-area acceleration and closing speed once freed up and the target is locked. Holds his own in the run game. Battles to make tackles and assists. Most effective inside the box in immediate gaps. Will hunt and chase down at times.

Final words

Super Bowl puzzle piece.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.