Shemar Stewart — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

With Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter set to hit free agency, a screaming need becomes even more necessary in Atlanta. Stewart isn't a true edge bender, but he's a long, strong, athletically blessed pressure player to aid the front.

The conversation around Cincinnati and Buffalo is similar: both teams have quarterbacks who allow them to compete with Patrick Mahomes and the other top offenses in the league. If they build more formidable defenses to slow those other teams down, that will give them the best chance to slay the beast in the AFC.

Atlanta's eternal desperation for a pass rusher could lead to an "HWS" (height/weight/speed) gamble on Stewart. Despite his limited production, the former Aggie could garner interest as a boom-or-bust edge menace.

The Broncos' defense is close to being the elite, all-round unit they wanted to be in 2024, but they just need some more help along the defensive line. Texas A&M defender Shemar Stewart has upside through the roof, but is still a little rough around the edges.

Stewart is yet another guy with a potentially wild range of draft outcomes. All of the edges with Round 1 buzz — Pearce, Williams, Green, JT Tuimoloau and Stewart — will hold pretty different spots on the board depending on the team. Testing and workouts will do a lot to sort it all out.

Either way, in Stewart, Baltimore would be getting a super long and versatile edge who fits its style.

Stewart's production — 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks over 37 games — hasn't matched the traits, but there is plenty of upside given his size, length and explosiveness if he can put it all together. The Ravens got double-digit sacks from both Kyle Van Noy (12.5) and Osafe Oweh (10), but Van Noy will turn 34 this spring and David Ojabo has only four sacks in three seasons.

The Saints struggle to find the right fit for their head coaching position. The team saw Joe Brady withdraw his name after Aaron Glenn chose the Jets instead. But regardless of who takes the role, the Saints are a team that needs to get back to basics. The trench depth has suffered due to cap restraints and aging veterans — and few players are more physically talented in this year's class than Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart. This is a supersized elite athlete with ample upside.

The Packers love front-seven players from the SEC with outstanding traits. Stewart fits the mold.

Expect to hear this name a lot more as we get into predraft events. Stewart still has some development ahead, but his athletic traits at 6-6, 290 pounds could push him up the board this spring. Atlanta was 31st in sacks (31) and 27th in pass rush win rate (34.1%) this season, and it hasn't done nearly enough to clean up that weakness. The Matthew Judon trade in August was a step in the right direction, but he added just 5.5 sacks this season and is a free agent.

Stewart didn't rack up sacks in college -- 1.5 in 2024 -- but he has the potential to break out in a big way in the pros.