Perhaps Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Missouri’s Armand Membou aren’t the only two prospects the New York Jets are eyeing with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets have kept “close tabs” on Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart.
“The Jets are keeping close tabs on edge rusher Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M). They met at his pro day and have stayed in touch,” wrote Cimini. “They met at his pro day and have stayed in touch. (Aaron) Glenn, of course, is a former Texas A&M star.”
The elite athlete
Ranked No. 13 overall on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, the 6-foot-5, 267-pound defender turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine with elite athletic testing. As many of the kids say, he’s an outright freak.
Though he didn’t participate in the bench press, three-cone drill, or 20-yard shuttle in Indianapolis, Stewart flashed elite explosiveness with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical leap, and a 131-inch broad jump. His performance earned him a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score—the highest ever recorded by a defensive end.
A highly touted five-star recruit hailing from Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, FL, Stewart spent three seasons with the Aggies. During that stretch, he appeared in 37 games and totaled 65 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
While the sack numbers might not jump off the page, Stewart consistently found his way to the backfield, racking up 79 total pressures in his college career.
More than a pass rusher
In 2024, Stewart posted an impressive 88.2 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus, showcasing his ability to contribute beyond generating pressures. However, his impact extended across the defensive line.
While logging the majority of his snaps at edge (71.2%), he also lined up over the tackle (22.5%), guard (4.2%), and center (1.5%).
Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania recently pointed to the Florida native as a logical fit for the Jets to help replace John Franklin-Myers’ hybrid role along the defensive front.
Stewart’s unique blend of athleticism and versatility could make him a strong schematic fit for Steve Wilks and Aaron Glenn‘s defense. Selecting him at No. 7 would be a bet on upside and a swing at elite physical traits rather than proven production.
Throwing Glenn’s collegiate ties into the mix ramps up the talk of the Jets drafting Stewart.
