FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josaiah Stewart
Josaiah Stewart (DE – Michigan)
6-foot-1 | 245 Pounds
Background
Josaiah Stewart originally attended Coastal Carolina, where he took over a starting role midway through his freshman season, finishing with 43-16.0-12.5 over 505 snaps in a monster freshman campaign.
Played a similar amount the following year, ending up with 36-10.0-3.5, then transferred to Michigan, where he rotated in heavily in 2023 (349 snaps), ending the year with 38-9.0-5.5. Has been enjoying an even more productive senior year, starting all season.
Positives
Stewart was a highly productive four-year contributor and three-year starter between two programs. He plays like his hair is on fire, really bringing it on a snap-to-snap basis with urgency, intensity and toughness; coaches will love the energy he brings. His compact build gives him natural leverage and his play strength is better than expected given his size. Sets a hard edge in the run game, with good contact balance. Has heavy hands to disengage. Shows good discipline on the backside. Is rangy in pursuit and capable of running down backs from behind when unblocked.
Stewart has good instincts/awareness to sniff out screens and get out to the sidelines to support. Has an explosive first step and knows how to use it, with a diverse mix of rush moves. Very effective speed rusher whose acceleration and low center of gravity allow him to work his way around the edge without gearing down much. Uses his speed to set up the bull rush and can successfully convert speed to power, getting under an opponent’s pads. Flashes a nice inside move when playing with his hand in the dirt. Closes fast in pursuit. Gets his hands up to contest passing lanes. Looks very fast making spot drops.
Negatives
On the small side compared to the other top EDGE players in this year’s class. Teams may have questions about his ability to play in an even front. Can occasionally play with too much aggression, leading to balance issues. Lack of length leads him to fall off of some tackles. Could continue to refine his hand technique as a rusher and develop more counters; more overwhelming physically and athletically than sophisticated as a technician.
The footwork and coordination from Stewart need some polish when working in coverage; looks a lot more comfortable when playing downhill. May struggle to match up against tight ends in man coverage; a better fit for spot drops into the flats or carrying backs out of the backfield.
Summary
One of the most lovable prospects in the class, Stewart plays the game with so much intensity and physicality that it’s easy to imagine coaches falling in love with him. Looks small for a pro EDGE, but his low center of gravity, explosiveness off the line and impressive functional strength allow him to overpower much bigger tackles.
His motor and closing speed are assets in both the run game and passing game. Stylistically best suited to an odd front, which lets their players pin their ears back and get aggressive. Would be a top pick if he was bigger, but still looks like a solid second-round pick.
Projection: Round 2
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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