2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

How high can Stewarts’ traits boost his draft stock?

The NFL loves to draft freak athletes, and there are few players in the 2025 NFL Draft class with freakier athletic traits than Texas A&M edge defender Shemar Stewart.

Stewart’s workout was one of the most highly anticipated at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, and he did not disappoint. His blend of size, speed, and explosiveness is legitimately rare and there have been few athletes of his caliber to ever set foot on an NFL field.

However, he comes with the significant caveat of his production very much not lining up with his traits and measureables. Prospects with his athletic potential don’t last long on draft day, but will the team that drafts him be able to unlock that potential?

Prospect: Shemar Stewart (4)
Games Watched: vs. Notre Dame (2024), vs. Missouri (2024), vs. LSU (2024), vs. Texas (2024)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Athleticism
• Size
• Length
• Play strength

Shemar Stewart possesses a legitimately rare and freakish blend of size and athleticism. He has prototypical size for an edge defender at 6-foot-5, 267 pounds with 34-inch arms. He combines that with athleticism that would be elite for an off-ball linebacker, or even a safety, let alone a defensive end.

Stewart is able to play out of a 2 and 3-point stance, as well as move inside as a 5-technique depending on the down and distance. His explosiveness and play strength make him a threat off the edge who can disrupt the play even if he can’t clear the blocker. At the same time, he’s a capable run defender who’s able to control offensive tackles, overpower tight ends, and set a firm edge to force runs back inside.

His raw speed and explosiveness make him a capable defender on the back side as well, and he gives good effort in pursuit. Stewart is able to run many ball carriers down by himself, and is willing to fight through blocks or navigate the trash to get there.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Hand usage
• Technique
• Mental processing

Stewart has two main weaknesses which the team that drafts him will have to overcome in order to unlock his incredible potential.

First and foremost, Stewart is a poor technician. He understands how to play to his strengths, however he lacks the skills to fully unlock his toolbox. Stewart has a very limited pass rush repertoire and is easily neutralized by blockers when they’re ready for his burst and power. Even as a power rusher, Stewart relies almost exclusively on his bullrush and has few answers when that doesn’t work. And despite his length and explosiveness, blockers often get their hands on him first and win inside leverage. That can lead to him flailing awkwardly as he tries to overpower a blocker who’s in control and has him out-leveraged.

Stewart also needs to hone the mental side of his game. He has a tendency to bite hard and fast on misdirection, and can be prone to chasing one player while the ball goes somewhere else. And even when he doesn’t bite hard on misdirection, he can be a bit slow locating the ball after the mesh point. While his athleticism allows him to compensate in college, the NFL is both faster and more sophisticated.

Game Tape

(Stewart is the Texas A&M edge defender wearing number 4)

Projection

Shemar Stewart projects as a developmental edge defender with starting upside. He should have scheme and alignment versatility at the NFL level.

Stewart should probably start his career as a rotational defender, but he can grow into an every-down player with the right team. He has Pro Bowl upside and his athletic traits make him a First Round prospect, however teams will need to realize what he is – and isn’t – at this point in his development. Being enamored with his tools but failing to develop his skill set would be a disservice to both the player and the team.

Stewart possesses elite athletic traits, but his production simply does not line up with his tools. He will need to land in a situation with enough depth that he isn’t relied upon to be an every-down player right away, as well as the good coaching necessary to help him hone his craft.

Does he fit the Giants?
Possibly, though the value might not fit

Final Word: A Day 1 value based on potential