Elite athlete, limited production: The Shemar Stewart NFL Draft dilemma

One area where my evaluations have often differed from NFL teams is along the defensive line. Over the past two drafts, I’ve labeled Marshawn Kneeland and Tyree Wilson as the most overrated prospects in their respective classes. So far, both players have struggled to live up to the expectations that came with their draft positions.

Tyree Wilson was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite his elite physical tools, he’s already being called a bust by some analysts after managing just eight sacks over his first two seasons. That level of production falls well short of what you’d expect from a top-10 selection. Marshawn Kneeland, taken in the second round of the 2024 draft, has also failed to make an early impact. He spent most of his rookie season as a backup, didn’t record a single sack, and finished with just two tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus gave him a low 50.8 grade, which ranked 25th on the Cowboys' defense.

With that track record in mind, who do I believe is the most overrated defensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft? That label belongs to Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M. There are several reasons I’m not sold on Stewart, and I believe the team that reaches for him early could come to regret it.

The biggest concern I have with Stewart is that he fits the mold of a “looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane” prospect. He has the kind of physical build and athletic profile that jumps off the page. At the NFL Combine, Stewart tested as the third-best athlete out of 1,802 defensive ends dating back to 1987, according to Relative Athletic Score. Physically, he’s elite. But his college production simply doesn’t match the athletic hype. Over three seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart managed just 4.5 sacks and never recorded more than 1.5 sacks in a single year.

His lack of production stems largely from limitations in his game that won’t be masked at the next level. While he posted an impressive 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, he lacks the agility to turn the corner as a pass rusher. That inability to bend around offensive tackles undermines his straight-line speed and casts real doubt on how effective he’ll be in consistently pressuring quarterbacks. In addition, his motor is inconsistent—he plays with energy at times, but too often disappears for stretches, raising questions about his desire to be great. His hand usage and pass rush technique also need considerable development, although those areas can improve with good NFL coaching.

Despite all these red flags, some mock drafts have Stewart projected as a top-10 pick. Pro Football Network recently slotted him to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall. Bleacher Report’s John Frascella took it a step further, suggesting the Jacksonville Jaguars could take him at No. 5. That’s far too high for a player with limited college production and several question marks in his game.

The right role—and the right range

If we’ve learned anything from the Wilson and Kneeland evaluations, it’s that elite athleticism alone doesn’t make a prospect worthy of an early pick. You have to produce on the field. Being a workout warrior might raise your draft stock, but it won’t get you to the quarterback in the NFL.

So, where should Stewart be ranked? That really depends on how a team envisions using him. Personally, I think he’s better suited to play either as a 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme or as a 3-4 defensive end. He dropped nearly 20 pounds before the Combine, which complicates that projection, but if he’s willing to add the weight back, his skill set could translate well inside. As a defensive tackle, Stewart wouldn’t be required to bend the edge as much. Instead, he could use his strength to collapse the pocket or beat linemen off the snap—two areas where he has shown promise.

If he embraces that transition and puts the weight back on, I’d feel comfortable considering him late in the first round. Two teams that stand out as potential fits are the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers, who pick at No. 21, could use him as a 3-4 defensive end, where his power and size would be more effective. The Chiefs, picking at No. 31, could benefit from his presence inside next to Chris Jones in their 4-3 defense. However, given the hype around Stewart, it’s hard to imagine he’ll still be on the board that late.

Ultimately, Stewart is a boom-or-bust prospect. The athleticism is real, but the tape tells a very different story. Teams that value production, consistency, and motor over raw traits should be cautious. If history is any indication, reaching for another unproven but physically gifted defensive lineman could lead to yet another early-round disappointment.

2025 NFL Draft: