More than any other position, standard production can become an afterthought when evaluating defensive linemen who project as high-profile pass rushers in the NFL. Sack totals don’t necessarily tell the whole story and elite athleticism is always coveted as a trait for pass rushers.
Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart, a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, fits cleanly into this bucket of players that might not have the cleanest projections. Stewart’s otherworldly athleticism was defined at the NFL combine, running a 4.59 40-yard dash (with a blistering 1.58 10-yard split!) at 267 pounds — and paired it with a 40-inch vertical jump and nearly 11 feet in the broad jump.