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The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly hosting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart on a pre-draft visit. So what are NFL execs and scouts saying about one of the top pass rushers in this year's draft?
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently spoke with coaches, scouts, and executives around the NFL about several of this year's prospects, one of which was Stewart.
"Big, fast, explosive -- lots of physical ability," an NFC executive told Fowler. "Just not sure where exactly he's going to go."
Stewart was one of the standout performers at this year's NFL combine. He recorded a perfect Relative Athletic Score of 10.0, which included a 4.59-second 40 and a 40-inch vertical jump.
Stewart played 1,255 career defensive snaps and has experience lining up in multiple gaps. Also, for what it's worth, he was one of PFF's highest graded run defenders during the 2024 season.
However, for a first-round talent, Stewart doesn't have a ton of production, which has evaluators a bit unsure of where he might end up going or how productive he will be in the NFL.
The 2024 season was Stewart's most productive from a pressure standpoint, with him recording 33 of them. But for some context, among his position group, that ranked tied for 87th. Fowler also noted in his article that Stewart had only 4.5 sacks over 37 games.
"Average feet, average instincts, doesn't always really know what's going on," the executive told Fowler. "Maybe he can work his way into being a good player at the next level, but he will need to improve in those areas."
Now, with that said, a player's role within a defensive scheme is going to play a part in impacting their production, as is the ever-increasing reliance on the quick passing game at the college level. But nonetheless, the production aspect is a big question mark for Stewart.
Defensive end may not be the most pressing need that the Colts have, but it's a unit we know GM Chris Ballard prioritizes, and it's a very deep draft class at that position group. With Dayo Odeyingbo in Chicago, the depth for the Colts could use a boost, not to mention that in 2026, Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Execs weigh in on Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart
Continue reading...
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently spoke with coaches, scouts, and executives around the NFL about several of this year's prospects, one of which was Stewart.
"Big, fast, explosive -- lots of physical ability," an NFC executive told Fowler. "Just not sure where exactly he's going to go."
Stewart was one of the standout performers at this year's NFL combine. He recorded a perfect Relative Athletic Score of 10.0, which included a 4.59-second 40 and a 40-inch vertical jump.
Stewart played 1,255 career defensive snaps and has experience lining up in multiple gaps. Also, for what it's worth, he was one of PFF's highest graded run defenders during the 2024 season.
However, for a first-round talent, Stewart doesn't have a ton of production, which has evaluators a bit unsure of where he might end up going or how productive he will be in the NFL.
The 2024 season was Stewart's most productive from a pressure standpoint, with him recording 33 of them. But for some context, among his position group, that ranked tied for 87th. Fowler also noted in his article that Stewart had only 4.5 sacks over 37 games.
"Average feet, average instincts, doesn't always really know what's going on," the executive told Fowler. "Maybe he can work his way into being a good player at the next level, but he will need to improve in those areas."
Now, with that said, a player's role within a defensive scheme is going to play a part in impacting their production, as is the ever-increasing reliance on the quick passing game at the college level. But nonetheless, the production aspect is a big question mark for Stewart.
Defensive end may not be the most pressing need that the Colts have, but it's a unit we know GM Chris Ballard prioritizes, and it's a very deep draft class at that position group. With Dayo Odeyingbo in Chicago, the depth for the Colts could use a boost, not to mention that in 2026, Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Execs weigh in on Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart
Continue reading...
