The Los Angeles Chargers are one of several teams who will likely spend one of their premium 2025 NFL Draft picks on edge rushers. With how many former Michigan coaches like Jim Harbaugh are in the NFL across multiple staffs, Wolverines edge rusher Josaiah Stewart could become a very hot commodity.
There's no such thing as having too many quality pass rushers in today's NFL, and Stewart is a firecracker of a player who should eventually be able to carve out a reliable role with a contender thanks t his very specific skillset.
While he may slide down draft boards a bit if he doesn't blow away GMs at the combine, Stewart has more than enough production to get coaches interested.
Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 245
- Recruiting: 2021 3-star, No. 749 nationally, No. 43 EDGE, No. 5 MA, Coastal Carolina transfer
Positives
- Plays like his hair is on fire. One of the best initial get-offs in this class, blends that with terrific closing speed and pursuit that helps him pile up sacks with ease.
- Pass rush arsenal is very refined for a Day 2 player, already has a quality rip, spin, and cross chop that will be even more effective when he adds weight
- Consistent performer with 31 career college sacks over four years, played his best against quality opponents (USC) and rivalry games (Michigan State). Impressed at Senior Bowl.
Stewart is a demon on the edge when he gets a full head of steam, as his initial burst is quick enough to bamboozle even some very experienced linemen. More than just a track star, Stewart is a very tricky pass rusher with an array of moves that should play immediately.
Negatives
- Profiles as someone who will struggle to defend the run in the NFL, the combination of poor functional play strength along with his size could lead to him being deployed in situation-specific roles.
- While his burst is very impressive, he may lack that elite gear that could help him overcome questions about his size. Could be limited to passing downs only as a pass rush specialist.
- Struggles with disengaging from blocks, often plays with a very high pass level and lacks the elite athleticism to consistently bend the edge against stronger blockers.
Stewart not only lacks a high ceiling as a run defender, but even those who believe in him will concede he may be below average in this area in the pros. Bigger tackles (Ohio State game) don;t have a ton of trouble shutting him down when they are able to get their hands on him.
The big issue with Stewart is that he might be unable to add too much functional weight in the pros without sacrificing his speed. Even with his pass rush skills being what they are, anyone who drafts him will likely have to gameplan around him being a bit of a one-trick pony early in his career.
Josaiah Stewart NFL Player Comparison: Will McDonald
McDonald graded out as a poor run defender with the Jets this past year, but he was still so productive rushing the passer that he amassed 10.5 sacks in his second season. New York is willing to put up with McDonald's run deficiencies, and Stewart fans might be willing to do the same.
Josaiah Stewart 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Mid 3rd Round
Even after showing out in mobile, it might be tough for Stewart to get picked higher than the third round due to his inability to play on early downs in the first few years of his career. To be best set up for success, he needs to go to a creative defensive mind willing to come up with specific ways to get him on the field.