The Dallas Cowboys are one of many teams in the 2025 NFL Draft that will take a very long look at this class's ultimate enigma in Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart. The expected first-round pick carries major boom-or-bust potential.
Stewart is a puzzling evaluation. He could be an All-Pro if he ends up hitting his stride with the right scheme. However, due to his alarming production in college, some are questioning if he is truly worth a first-round selection in a very deep class.
A closer examination of Stewart's overall profile only confirms the former top recruit's status as a major question mark. However, his potential is so enticing that there's a good chance he hears his name called on Thursday night.
Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 270
- Recruiting: 2022 5-star, No. 9 national, No. 3 DL, No. 1 FL
Positives
- Historically good freak athlete for his size, ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at 270 pounds with a 40-inch vertical jump.
- Shows off tremendous bend for a bigger edge, able to sink down low and pressure the quarterback better than some players 20 pounds lighter.
- Uses heavy hands and solid power to set the edge effectively in the run game, should play on all three downs.
- Pass rush upside is there despite his production, having amassed 39 pressures in his final season with A&M.
Stewart is going to be a premium athlete the second he steps onto an NFL field, as he can explode off the line and whip around the edge to pressure the quarterback. Stewart supporters will point to his solid pressure rate as evidence that he can still play despite the low sack numbers.
Stewart is more than just a speed demon, as his ability to bulldoze offensive tackles suggests that he could be a solid two-way end who can play with his hand in the dirt.
Negatives
- Scary lack of production, just 4.5 sacks in three college seasons, never topping 1.5 in a season despite consistent playing time.
- Poor ability to convert pressures into sacks, doesn't always show off the best open-field tackling skills.
- Pass rush plan is underdeveloped at this point in time, too often relies on raw athletic ability to win reps.
- Upright style of play leads to poor pad level, a possible contributor to his uneven production.
Not only did Stewart have below-average production in college, but the lack of sacks for a defensive end prospect is so jarring that it could turn him into a serious bust. Many lesser prospects had more sacks in one game than Stewart had all season long.
Stewart, like many top recruits scratching the surface, will need to learn how to make plays and beat tackles with a defined pass rush plan rather than just leaning on his athletic gifts. This may be one reason why the sack numbers are as low as they are.
Shemar Stewart NFL Player Comparison: Danielle Hunter
Like Stewart, Hunter was an athletic freak with minimal sack production in college before it all clicked in the pros. Whomever drafts Stewart will need to hope for a similar bounce.
Shemar Stewart 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Late 1st Round
Athletically, Stewart has everything a coach could dream of. In the right system, Stewart could shine to the point where he is an immediate game-wrecker. However, 40 times are all well and good, but the production has to come at some point.