Dylan Stewart 2027 NFL Draft: scouting report for South Carolina, EDGE
South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart looks to be the next great edge rusher in the NFL Draft.
Height: 6-5
Weight: 250 pounds
Year: Junior
Pro Comparison: Shades of Von Miller
Pros for Dylan Stewart
- Displays explosive get-off on the football.
- Flattens the arc really well. Loves to use the ghost move to attach the quarterback
- Crazy athletic profile for an edge rusher. Has really fluid hips to maneuver around and through defensive linemen
- Stays patient on RPOs and read plays to not overcommit. Midpoints well with the athleticism to attack the ball carrier
- Very engaged run defender. Sets a strong edge in attacking defensive linemen
- Doesn’t get displaced often on single blocks
Cons for Dylan Stewart
- Doesn’t have a fully developed counter package after his first move fails
- Raw pass rush plan. Relies a little too much on a ghost move.
- Needs some development with his hand usage
Background
Stewart is an excellent prospect on every level, and it’s been that way since he was a recruit. He was a five-star out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C. and the No. 17 recruit in the class of 2024.
It didn’t take Stewart long to make a serious impact either. As a true freshman, Stewart was excellent, amassing 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 51 pressures on a whopping 538 snaps. He played slightly fewer snaps in 2025 due to a back injury he suffered against the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 8, but still put up impressive numbers. He tallied 4.5 sacks, 12.0 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 37 pressures on 449 snaps.
Player evaluation
Stewart is built like a traditional NFL edge rusher, already standing at 250 pounds. He flashes elite-level athleticism for the position, especially with his fluidity. Stewart has loose hips and ankles that allow him to bend the arc at a high level, both around the offensive tackle and slicing in gaps with both stunts and the running game.
In the running game, Stewart isn’t a slouch. He thrives in multiple ways, setting the edge with power against tackles. One really impressive element Stewart has in the run game is patience. He midpoints read plays and RPOs well and has the athleticism to chase down either the running back or quarterback.