The NFL Combine has been a big win for the Dallas Cowboys as we have learned that Osa Odighizuwa is closing in on signing a new deal with the team. While there is still work to be done, negotiations are trending in the right direction.
In addition to Odighizuwa, the Cowboys will meet with DeMarcus Lawrence in Indianapolis. The four-time Pro Bowler put an end to the retirement speculation and has made it clear what he wants in a potential new contract.
There's been so much buzz surrounding Odighizuwa, Lawrence and other free agents that prospect hype at Lucas Oil Stadium has taken a backseat.
Defensive linemen and linebackers took the field on Thursday hoping to buck that trend. While there were a variety of standout performers at both positions, the Cowboys are left with a no-brainer target with the No. 12 overall pick.
Cowboys have to consider Shemar Stewart with first-round pick after historic combine performance
Stewart's performance on Thursday was nothing short of historical.
Shemar Stewart is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 3 out of 1802 DE from 1987 to 2025.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 27, 2025
Splits projected, Times unofficial.https://t.co/r9HXsXwSH4 pic.twitter.com/V2jH2WF8EJ
Jaws were on the floor when the Texas A&M product posted a 40-inch vertical, which was one inch shy of matching Browns superstar Myles Garrett's generational combine showing.
Stewart then ran a 4.59 40-yard dash. A reminder that Stewart measured in at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds. That is an absurd time for a player of his size. He then recorded an astounding 10'11" broad jump, which ranks in the 99th percentile in Combine history.
While Stewart testing as a freak athlete was no surprise, his performance will have him skyrocketing up draft boards, potentially as high as a top-10 pick.
The big knock on Stewart is his lack of production in college as he produced just 4.5 sacks in three seasons. Minimal college production usually translates to minimal NFL production for defensive linemen, but Stewart led the Aggies with 39 pressures this season. His backfield production should outweigh the sack output.
Simply put, Stewart is the perfect player to deploy opposite Parsons on the line of scrimmage. Though drafting him No. 12 overall might be gamble given the lack of production, the right NFL scheme and coaching will absolutely get production out of him.
The Cowboys already have one alien on their defensive line. With Osa Odighizuwa reportedly on the verge of re-signing, drafting Stewart would give them two aliens and one of the most disruptive pass-rushing interior defenders in football if Odighizuwa returns.
Stewart has to be one of the top options for the 12th pick.