According to Pro Football Focus, only two Kansas City Chiefs defenders totaled 30 or more pressures through the team’s first 15 games. For reference, four Denver Broncos recorded more than 40 pressures during that time. The Chiefs must level the playing field through the 2025 NFL draft.
Texas A&M Aggies lineman Shemar Stewart is an elite 6’6″, 285 lb. defensive end who occasionally reduces inside to play over the tackle or in the B-gap. His tall, muscular frame and long arms support his alignment versatility. Despite his size, Stewart explodes off the line with eye-popping speed and burst. Very few defensive linemen with his combination of length, size, speed, and strength exist.
Stewart turns into a human missile after the snap. He drives his hands into the offensive lineman’s chest and converts speed to power with his relentless leg drive. The power in his hands blows open the B-gap and softens rush angles. Stewart’s pass rush plan includes club-chops, club-swims, long-arms, and swipe-rips.
Shemar Stewart moves like this at 6’6 290lbs.
Utterly unfair. He will be an elite run defender on Sundays. pic.twitter.com/a3U6yaoRvX
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 22, 2024
Stewart’s closing burst and pursuit speed make him a quarterback’s worst nightmare once he turns the corner. His large frame limits his bend around the edge. Stewart uses a swim counter but needs to refine his hand usage to be more precise and help him keep his pass rush plan alive. He plays out of control sometimes, relying on pure physical traits instead of technique.
Stewart uses his sturdy anchor to hold the point of attack. His arm length makes it easy to stack and shed blocks. He changes directions well for a lineman with his size. Stewart needs to focus more on maintaining his gap integrity and less on attacking the offensive lineman across from him.
Stewart is still a raw defensive lineman who needs to develop his discipline and technique, but his rare athletic profile makes him a first-round talent.
