Could the Michigan Wolverines boast three first-round defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Everyone knows how talented Michigan's defensive line is. Led by the formidable duo of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant up the middle, the Wolverines' defensive line is one of the most talented units in all of college football. Both Graham and Grant have dominated the first round of mock drafts for months now, and both […]
Everyone knows how talented Michigan's defensive line is. Led by the formidable duo of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant up the middle, the Wolverines' defensive line is one of the most talented units in all of college football.
Both Graham and Grant have dominated the first round of mock drafts for months now, and both feel likely to end up in the first round come the 2025 NFL Draft. However, one other Michigan defensive lineman has set the world on fire this season and has many people discussing his potential to be a first-round pick: pass rusher Josaiah Stewart.
Stewart has been a dominant force for the Wolverines this season and is one of the most productive pass rushers in the country.
His 19 pressures on the season are tied with potential first-rounder Landon Jackson and are ahead of other potential first-round picks like Nic Scourton and JT Tuimoloau. Stewart's five sacks are tied for 12th in the country as well. His best trait, metrics-wise at least, is a 31.3% pass rush win rate, according to PFF. That number is first in the country by almost four full percentage points.
On film, Stewart's calling card is his speed and explosiveness around the edge. He leaps off of the line of scrimmage, immediately putting pressure on tackles to get to their landmarks quick. I've also been impressed with his physicality in setting an edge and his pass rush plan and fundamentals have been much improved from last season.
However, there is one thing that limits his draft ceiling: Stewart is small. He is a verified 6'0, 240 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms. That's about the same size as Sutton Smith was.
The good news for Stewart is that some recent first-round picks were comparable in frame. Haason Reddick was 6'1, 234 with 32 3/4-inch arms and Nolan Smith was 6'2, 238 with 32 5/8-inch arms. Two recent first-round picks have been selected with smaller arm lengths in Aidan Hutchinson and Derek Barnett.
I'm not sure teams would be willing to repeat the Nolan Smith and Derek Barnett experiments, but there is at least some precedent for Stewart in the first round. However, Stewart going in the first round still feels unlikely off of frame alone, as many teams will simply regard him as a sub-package rusher only because of it.
Still, Stewart has absolutely dominated this season and has increased his draft stock tremendously as one of the few bright spots of a letdown season for the Michigan Wolverines.
