No such thing as enough great pass rushers especially if Myles Garrett trade becomes real
The Cleveland Browns drafted Myles Garrett years ago. Across the line on the other side, there hasn’t been a consistent pass-rushing partner to help him out and take away the double team. To fix this, if Garrett’s trade request isn’t fulfilled, the Browns should draft a young stud. That player is DE Shemar Stewart. By the way, Garrett is an A&M alum. And now that Garrett has asked for a trade, the need for a swift pass rusher is more prevalent.
Stewart had the #20 ranking coming into this year’s Senior Bowl. After dominating every blue-chip offensive lineman, Stewart might hear his name a bit earlier. If the Browns want him, they would need to trade down from the #2 spot, most likely twice.
He would be a substitute for drafting Penn State DE Abdul Carter. Here is how that would work. The Browns trade down to around #5 or #6 and pick up a second-round spot and a lower round such as a fifth. Next, trade down again to the #15 slot and grab Stewart while at the same time picking up a third and fourth-round pick. But the trade would be worth it and the franchise would possess a bevy of draft picks in the process while at the same time wrangling an elite pass rusher.
If Garrett does indeed leave Cleveland, Stewart could be his replacement.
Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Stewart is a huge guy with speed. He came out of high school as a five-star recruit and only got better. Over three college seasons, Stewart amassed 796 defensive snaps across 27 games playing a tough schedule in the SEC.
He has a powerful frame and is a versatile defender. His bull rush is lethal and a sight to witness. Stewart is very durable and can play the run just as well as his pass-rushing prowess. Drafting Stewart would give Cleveland a deadly pass-rushing duo for DC Jim Schwartz.
After just two days of wowing coaches and scouts and blowing everybody away by his skills, Stewart left Mobile and did not play in the actual game. Before he left, Dawgs By Nature staff writer Barry Shuck was able to chat with Stewart at the Senior Bowl.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler stated that Stewart “stamped himself as the best player” in Mobile.
DE Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M
6’-6”, 290 pounds
4.75 40 time
Projected round: 1
Q: You are just one of many edge rushers who have elite talent. What makes you stand out?
A: I would make an immediate impact and am a player that will keep developing. My goal is to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Q: Who is the one quarterback in the NFL you can’t wait to sack?
A: Lamar. I am a Florida guy so I got to go get him.
Q: What are some of your strengths?
A: I had a big emphasis on striking in the run game. I went back to the roots and started tackling techniques again to improve stopping the run and learning the defensive scheme better. One of my biggest downfalls was mental execution and tackling. So, I made a big emphasis on both and improved. I do a lot of things that don’t show up in the stat book. Sometime I blow up the play and let somebody else take the sack or tackle. I am not a stat chasing warrior.
Q: What is the experience like being on the field with some of the best college players from this season?
A: It’s always great playing the game I love and seeing people I haven’t seen in a while. Good vibes today.
Q: Browns coach Bubba Ventrone is the head coach of your roster. What has that experience been like under an NFL coaching staff?
A: Coach is very energetic and getting our team ready. He’s always ready to go. If one day I get to spend more than a week with him, I’ll be happy.
Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Q: Who is some of your favorite NFL players?
A: Somebody on the Browns that used to go to my school – Myles Garrett. He’s just a monster and works hard at his game. That’s why he’s the best every Sunday in and out. I try to immolate my power from J.J. Watt.
Q: You have a crazy schedule. The Senior Bowl followed by the Combine. What is your off-season workout routine?
A: I get up early on Monday and drive to the Exos facility in Arizona, and then have treatment. Then eat breakfast and have speed and field work. Around one I have weights. I do drink some Thorne’s Sports coffee which contains supplements. It’s amazing.
Q: You are known as a pass rusher. What is your run stopping skills like?
A: I pride myself on not allowing the ball to be run on me. I always put it on my back and not allow the ball to get to the second level. I want to make the play and emphasize being more physical in the run game.
Q: Your NFL career is about to begin. What has playing college sports done for you?
A: College football has given me the resources to better myself and to help provide for my family back home. My coaches and teammates all strive to be the best person we could be in the game of football. I have been fortunate to have had coaches who would never ease up on me and push me to the limit so I thank them for that. I didn’t grow up with the best living situation so my goal is to supply everybody to make their life better.
Q: You played in a tough conference against a lot of good teams. What was the toughest environment?
A: I am going to go 1-a and 1-b. In my freshman year, we traveled to play Alabama coached by Nick Saban. That was my first time in an atmosphere like that. I was a little shook up. One of the best college football teams at the time and just a loud place. They really set the temp, set the tone. And the second one was South Carolina. Their fans, their lights and music – they have a great stadium atmosphere as well. As I got older, it became a team full of veterans and we knew what to expect on those loud road games.
How Shemar Stewart’s measurements at the Senior Bowl compare to DL prospects since 1999, via @mockdraftable
• 90th percentile in height (6’5 1/8”)
• 92nd percentile in wingspan (83 1/2”)
• 80th percentile in arm length (34 1/4”) https://t.co/vOkRTYIuyD pic.twitter.com/uBjvFvk5sp— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 29, 2025
Q: Texas A&M has placed a lot of players into the NFL. What would it be for you to be placed in that list of names into that tradition?
A: We have had a lot of good guys play and like you said it is part of the tradition at the Cow Fields. When I was recruited, the coaches talked about the D-Line at A&M and where guys ended up. I feel it’s just my job to compete and fill those shoes that others set for me.
Q: What is your focus this week at the Senior Bowl?
A: To show coaches what I can do. Learning to be stronger and getting more involved in the run game. I’m just trying to answer everybody’s question marks.