Cincinnati Bengals select Shemar Stewart in first round of 2025 NFL Draft

Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart has been selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was taken with the 17th overall pick in the draft.

One of the most athletic freaks in the draft, Stewart had a lot of potential upside to entice NFL teams. The real question is whether he can get his production to match at some point.

Stewart, despite his motor and elite speed and athleticism, recorded only 1.5 sacks per season in each of his three years in College Station. That left many NFL scouts hoping for more.

Still, the undeniable athleticism was just too much to overlook, earning him a shot at the next level. Shemar Stewart will now get a chance to put it all together against elite talent.

In three years at Texas A&M, Stewart recorded 65 tackles, 12.0 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a defensive touchdown and four passes defended.

As a recruit, Shemar Stewart was ranked as a five-star-plus prospect and the No. 7 overall player in the nation. He checked in as the No. 3 defensive lineman in the class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, as well as the top overall player from the state of Florida, hailing from Opa Locka (FL) Monsignor Pace.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Shemar Stewart

As noted above, the big question with Shemar Stewart is whether he can get his production to match the potential. So far he hasn’t.

Still, he has the pieces for the right coaching staff to mold him into an absolute force. Writes Lance Zierlein in evaluating Stewart as a prospect:

“Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside. 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.”