NFL.com Analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s draft released Move in the first round on Saturday. The Green Bay Packers own the 23rd overall pick in 2025, and with Pick Jeremiah they had the Packers select Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart.
“The Packers love seven SEC players with unique qualities. “Stewart fits the mold,” Jeremiah wrote.
Jeremiah’s choice makes sense for many reasons. As Jeremiah pointed out, Green Bay is on the hook for taking SEC players. Since Brian Gutekunst took over as GM in 2018, he has drafted 20 SEC players, comprising 28 percent of his total draft pick.
One more couldn’t hurt, right?
Stewart would also lend a hand strengthen the Packers’ pass rush. Despite tying for eighth with 45 sacks as a team in 2024, Green Bay struggled to get home at a sufficient rate throughout the season, something Gutekunst acknowledged he would need to improve during his season-ending press conference.
“There are times where we blew up, and times we would have those lulls where we were the only ones who probably didn’t play as well as we wanted to,” he said.
Stewart can lend a hand in this area. At 6-6 and 285 pounds, he has the size and athleticism Green Bay desires around his edges. Stewart will be one of the most physically gifted players in this year’s draft class, checking more of Green Bay’s boxes.
Maria Lysaker-usa today sports
The biggest disadvantage against Stewart was his overall production. In three college seasons, he managed a total of just 4.5 sacks.
As a prospect, Stewart compares favorably to 2019 first-rounder Rashan Gary, who only had 10.5 sacks during his collegiate career but showed elite qualities. Gary has developed into the Packers’ top rusher, leading with 32 sacks over the last four seasons. Gary finished last year with 7.5 sacks and was much better in run defense, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.
However, there wasn’t a lot of production behind Gary, so adding an edge first made sense for Green Bay.
Fans may not be thrilled with another development project, but the future payout could be huge. It would be hard to pass on Stewart’s occasional blend of physical tools and extreme upside if he is still available when the Packers pick in April. Plus, you can never go wrong with strengthening your trenches.
“With Rushersom Pass, you can never have enough,” Gutekunst said.
