At the NFL Scouting Combine, Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart was spotted carrying a San Francisco 49ers backpack, hinting at a meeting with the team. Matt Barrows of The Athletic later confirmed that the 49ers formally interviewed Stewart in Indianapolis, viewing him as a potential addition to help fortify the trenches.
The 49ers' need for pass rush help
San Francisco has been working to strengthen its pass rush. Despite signing Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos last year, the defense earned a modest 68.1 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking just 18th in the league.
With the return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the team could turn to the draft to inject young talent into its defensive front.
Stewart's impact at Texas A&M
Stewart's raw stats may not stand out to the casual observer. Over three seasons with the Aggies, he tallied 65 tackles (12 for a loss), 4.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and one forced fumble.
In 2024, Stewart (6-5, 267) posted a career-high 79.4 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. While his 67.2 pass rush grade was underwhelming, he led Texas A&M with 39 pressures, showcasing his ability to impact plays.
However, his ability to contribute in run support might be even more appealing to the 49ers, who ranked 28th in the NFL with a 48.8 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus. Stewart significantly improved in that area, raising his run-defense grade from 63.6 in 2023 to an impressive 88.2 in 2024.
"Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside," NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his draft profile. "He's long and sudden off the snap but hasn't learned to weaponize his hands to control the point of attack and bypass protection with go-to moves. His bull-rush compresses the pocket off the edge, and he's too athletic for guards when reduced inside. He can be very disruptive in both phases but requires additional training to start converting his opportunities into finishes.
"The lack of production relative to the traits is a concern; still, players who move like him are highly coveted. While the boom-or-bust label might be in play, it feels like a matter of time before it all starts to click at a high level."
Stewart at the Combine
"Stewart is more of a three-down defensive end who was disruptive as a pass rusher but never had more than 1.5 sacks in any season with the Aggies," Barrows wrote.
Despite that, Stewart tested well at the Combine. He ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash—one of the top four times among edge rushers in Indianapolis. His 1.58-second 10-yard split, which ranked third at his position, highlighted an explosive burst that might appeal to Saleh and the 49ers.
Additionally, Stewart recorded a 40-inch vertical jump, second only to Arkansas' Landon Jackson (40.5 inches) among edge rushers.
While Stewart's stats may not scream elite pass rusher, his impressive Combine performance could make him a prospect to watch as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches.
Comments