Josaiah Stewart DE/EDGE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Josaiah Stewart DE/EDGE Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/19/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (79%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 02/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (79%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 85.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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72% |
| Pass Rush: |
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95% |
| Run Defense: |
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89% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#49
Position rank:
#17
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| College Games: 51 College Snaps: 1835 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jonah Elliss - Utah |
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87% |
| Arnold Ebiketie - Penn State |
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87% |
| BJ Ojulari - LSU |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
From Bronx street ball to the bright lights of the Big House, Josaiah Stewart's path to the NFL draft embodies the grit that defines his game. The 6'1", 245-pound edge defender burst onto the college scene as a freshman at Coastal Carolina, shattering the program's single-season sack record with 12.5 quarterback takedowns. After earning Freshman All-American honors and dominating the Sun Belt for two seasons, Stewart took his talents to Ann Arbor, where he evolved from situational pass rusher to team captain for the national champion Wolverines.Stewart's two-year stint at Michigan proved he could hang with elite competition, racking up 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss while earning All-Big Ten honors both seasons. His signature performance came in the 2024 Rose Bowl semifinal against Alabama, where he terrorized the Crimson Tide's offensive line for seven tackles and repeatedly forced their quarterback off his spot in crucial moments.
The former three-star recruit who played just one and a half seasons of high school ball due to COVID-19 has developed into one of the most polished pass rushers in this draft class. His production speaks volumes - 30 career sacks, 46 tackles for loss, and consistent disruption against top-tier competition. Most impressively, Stewart's game took a significant leap forward in 2024, leading Michigan's defensive front with 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks while earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive first step causes instant problems for tackles, consistently winning the edge
- Masterful hand technician who sets up rushes with euro-steps and stems, keeping blockers guessing with a deep arsenal of rips, swims, and cross-chops
- Natural leverage player who plays with outstanding pad level, allowing him to get under bigger tackles' pads despite lacking prototypical size
- Elite motor shows up constantly on film - routinely makes hustle plays 15-20 yards downfield and racks up coverage sacks through pure determination
- Sophisticated pass rush plan demonstrates high football IQ, consistently setting up counter moves and adapting mid-game when initial approach gets stymied
- Surprisingly stout at the point of attack against tight ends, using natural leverage and compact frame to hold his ground better than size suggests
- Quick processor who sniffs out screens and draws, showing ability to quickly transition from rush to pursuit when plays develop away
- Scheme versatile player who's shown ability to play both standing up and hand in dirt, while also displaying comfort dropping into shallow zones
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame at 245 pounds (6th percentile) creates issues against power-oriented offensive tackles who can absorb his initial burst and reset anchors
- Below-average arm length (32 3/4") limits ability to consistently separate from blocks once offensive linemen latch on with proper technique
- Struggles to maintain gap integrity against double teams and down blocks, occasionally getting washed out of his run fit on power schemes
- Limited ankle flexion affects ability to bend the corner at sharp angles, forcing him to take wider angles that give quarterbacks time to step up
- Can get overeager as a rusher, occasionally running himself out of plays by getting too far upfield against mobile quarterbacks
Scouting Report: Summary
I'm convinced he's going to make defensive coordinators look smart on passing downs from day one. His USC game was a masterclass in pass rush setup - watching him euro-step outside then explode inside against their right tackle three times showed the kind of sophisticated rush planning that translates immediately. The real eye-opener came against Alabama, where he consistently pressed the pocket against their NFL-caliber tackles despite giving up 50+ pounds.The tape against Ohio State and Washington revealed his limitations - when teams committed to running at him with double teams and power schemes, he struggled to maintain his ground. But his response to these challenges spoke volumes about his football character. Even after getting washed out early, he kept fighting and adjusted his attack angles, eventually forcing crucial pressures in both fourth quarters. This mental toughness and adaptability remind me of what made Haason Reddick successful despite similar size concerns.
Give me Stewart lined up in a Wide-9 technique where he can unleash that explosive first step, or let him work as a stand-up rusher who can threaten both inside and outside track rushes. He's shown enough on tape against elite competition to warrant a second-round selection. While his frame may limit his ceiling as an every-down player, his refined pass rush arsenal and competitive toughness will make him a valuable pressure player from day one. The improvement in his hand usage from his Coastal Carolina tape to his Michigan film suggests he's still ascending as a technician.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Josaiah Stewart percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Josaiah Stewart (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
69.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
24.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.