New Jets DT T'Vondre Sweat gets praised by the perfect mentor for him

The New York Jets' biggest addition, in multiple ways, on their interior defensive line was acquiring former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat after he lasted just two seasons in Nashville. Sweat was acquired for former first-round pick Jermaine Johnson II in a one-for-one swap.

Sweat was traded despite great production in Tennessee, as he wasn't a great fit in a 4-3 scheme and reportedly had some issues with staying in top shape. Luckily for the Jets, they have a well-traveled veteran and locker room leader in Harrison Phillips that Sweat can observe with a great deal of interest.

Phillips, who is getting his relationship with Sweat started off on a good foot by complementing his freakish athleticism for someone who tips the scales at over 360 pounds. Phillips noted that many of the new defensive line additions, including both Sweat and No. 2 pick David Bailey, have been very receptive to coaching and advice.

Harrison Phillips praises new Jets DT T'Vondre Sweat

Sweat has been graded as one of the best defensive tackles in the league in the eyes of Pro Football Focus, which makes it surprising that Robert Saleh would part ways with him solely because of a questionable scheme fit and some conditioning issues. When he is on the field, Sweat has been as dominant as expected, perhaps even more so.

Sweat will get a perfect mentor to learn from in Phillips. Not only is he incredibly well-respected throughout the league, but he is a fellow run-stuffing tackle who has managed to stay on the field for a plurality of snaps. If Sweat has Phillips in his ear and is still not staying in shape, that would be a cause for extreme alarm.

The Jets added Sweat as part of an organizational directive to get much better at defending the run. Adding Sweat, Demario Davis, and Minkah Fitzpatrick brings an above-average run defender at every level of the defense. David Onyemata, called a top run defender across decades of Davis' career, and rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. will also back up Sweat.

So much of Sweat's ceiling is self-imposed, as he needs to give maximum effort on every snap. If Phillips can help get Sweat on the right track, he could be such a dominant force that he earns a new long-term contract in New York and harkens back to the era of big space-eaters like Kris Jenkins and Snacks Harrison on the interior.

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