Latest draft intel reinforces the growing perception that standout prospect is exactly the type the Packers love to target
It's hard to know at this point if Shemar Stewart will be available at pick 23 when the Green Bay Packers are on the clock. After all, he is the 15th prospect on this year's class consensus big board—and he's been as high as 12th. But if he is there, general manager Brian Gutekunst might […]
It's hard to know at this point if Shemar Stewart will be available at pick 23 when the Green Bay Packers are on the clock. After all, he is the 15th prospect on this year's class consensus big board—and he's been as high as 12th. But if he is there, general manager Brian Gutekunst might very well take him.
Not that the lack of production isn't an issue. However, everything that the Packers tend to truly value in a prospect aligns with what Stewart has to offer. And that point has been reinforced by Jeremy Fowler's latest piece with draft intel.
ESPN's NFL insider brought the perception people around the league have about Stewart, a polarizing prospect because of both his tools and underwhelming college numbers.
'Stewart flourished at the Senior Bowl, looking at times like "the best player on the field," according to one personnel evaluator.
"Big, fast, explosive — lots of physical ability," an NFC executive said. "Just not sure where exactly he's going to go." Added a separate NFC exec: "The community is split on him."
Production is an issue — 4.5 sacks in 37 collegiate games left much to be desired. The executive believes that's in part because Stewart didn't always look comfortable in the A&M defense.
"Average feet, average instincts, doesn't always really know what's going on," the executive said. "Maybe he can work his way into being a good player at the next level, but he will need to improve in those areas."
A high-ranking NFL defensive coach says Stewart deserves grace for some of his play because the A&M defensive line looked unorganized at times and that can affect a player's bottom line.
An AFC executive adds that Stewart has the physical ability of a top-10 pick but predicts he will probably go in the middle of the first round.
The fact that Stewart played at a high level at the Senior Bowl is extremely important. Last year, Gutekunst mentioned to Sports Illustrated how much he values the event, as an opportunity to see top prospects in the same environment.
"Certainly, for some of us, it's the first time we get the chance to set our eyes on some of these players," Gutekunst said. "Seeing them physically move around and compete, it's such a big deal to see the competition live. And to meet them, in the beginning phase of getting to know these guys as people, I think is just a huge part of our process. Then, having it in Mobile and the professional way that they roll that thing out for us, and make it so easy, it's a very, very important part of our process."'
The Packers also brought Shemar Stewart in for a top 30 visit in March, so there clearly is some level of interest in the type of prospect he is.
Good and bad about Shemar Stewart
Stewart is widely perceived as a first-round talent. But part of the conversation has been about the lack of production. During his three seasons at Texas A&M, he had only 4.5 sacks. That's it. It's not 4.5 sacks last season, it's throughout the past three, 1.5 sacks each year.
Sometimes, sack numbers might be misleading, but with Stewart that's not really the case. He has a 12.4% pass rush win rate and a 73.5 true pass set pass rush grade via PFF, which are above average but far from great numbers in his final season. In 2024, he generated 40 pressures.
Pass rush win rate for 1st-round prospects:
- James Pearce Jr. – 23.0%
- Abdul Carter – 22.6%
- Mike Green – 20.2%
- Jalon Walker – 18.5%
- Donovan Ezeiruaku – 18.2%
- Shemar Stewart – 12.4%
- Mykel Williams – 11.1%
Even a raw prospect like Lukas Van Ness had a higher number, at 18.8% during his final season at Iowa.
But the argument for Shemar is that the Texas A&M defensive scheme didn't give him the opportunity to produce. It was a run-first approach, and his pass rush win rate in true pass sets goes up to 20.7%—which is higher than Rashan Gary's college number at 16.5%. It's still lower than most of the top NFL guys, but higher than some toolsy prospects like Gary and Travon Walker.
His athletic profile is impressive, with a perfect Relative Athletic Score based on the available numbers. He's tall and fairly heavy at 6-5, 267 pounds. And with that comes elite explosion and speed, even though he didn't take the agility testing.
There is risk, but there is also precedent. If Shemar Stewart is available at 23, don't be surprised if Gutekunst pulls the trigger betting on his upside, whenever it might come.
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