The Cincinnati Bengals added to new defensive coordinator Al Golden’s defense with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart.
Stewart was part of a deep class of edge rushers with many pundits predicting the Bengals would address the defensive line with Trey Hendrickson’s uncertain future and Sam Hubbard’s retirement.
Here’s what national pundits think of the Bengals’ first-round pick.
Shemar Stewart NFL draft expert grades
Briefly: National media seem in lockstep in questioning the Bengals’ first-round pick. Yahoo Sports called Stewart “the ultimate traits over production prospect” after the 6-foot-6, 267-pound defensive end racked up just 1.5 sack in each of three consecutive seasons with Texas A&M.
Some mock drafts had Stewart going into the top 10 while others had the former Aggie slipping near the end of the opening round.
At the NFL Combine in February, Stewart ranked third amongst defensive ends in the 40-yard dash (4.59 seconds), second in 10-yard split (1.58 seconds), second in the vertical (40.00″) and first in the broad jump (10’11”).
“There may not be a more physically talented prospect in the class than Stewart, who ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the combine. Stewart pairs a quick first step with a powerful punch, and when he extends his arms, he knocks back tackles and compresses the pocket,” Sports Illustrated reporter Gilberto Manzano said of the pick. “But he lacks much of a pass-rush plan, often relying on going speed to power, and his hands are inefficient, which leads to his rushes usually stalling.”
The Bengals selected Stewart over other available pass-rushers they were linked to like Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Marshall’s Mike Green.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL draft 2025 expert grades for Bengals pick of Shemar Stewart