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: 12/06/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (79%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 86.7 / 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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73% |
| Pass Rush: |
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95% |
| Run Defense: |
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90% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#41
Position rank:
#14
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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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arnold Ebiketie - Penn State |
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89% |
| Jonah Elliss - Utah |
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83% |
| BJ Ojulari - LSU |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Josaiah Stewart, a defensive end from Michigan, has quickly risen through the ranks of college football. Born and raised in Everett, Massachusetts, Stewart was a two-way player at Everett High School, contributing as both a tight end and defensive end. Despite his senior season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stewart's junior year performance caught the attention of recruiters, recording 30 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.Stewart began his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina, where he made an immediate impact. As a freshman in 2021, he set the program's single-season sack record with 12.5 sacks, earning First Team All-Sun Belt honors and Freshman All-American recognition. He followed up with a solid sophomore campaign, garnering Second Team All-Sun Belt accolades. Stewart then transferred to Michigan for his junior season, where he continued to showcase his pass-rushing prowess.
At Michigan, Stewart appeared in all 15 games during the 2023 season, leading all defensive linemen with 38 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks. His performances earned him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition from the coaches, solidifying his status as a rising defensive talent in one of college football's most competitive conferences.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Prototypical size and athleticism for a modern NFL EDGE rusher, with excellent speed and agility for the position
- Explosive first step off the line, allowing him to consistently challenge offensive tackles and disrupt plays in the backfield
- Versatile pass rush arsenal, including effective rip, swim, and cross-chop moves, keeping offensive linemen off-balance
- Excellent closing speed and pursuit ability, often resulting in hustle sacks and plays made far from his initial alignment
- High motor player who maintains intensity throughout games, continuously pressuring quarterbacks and chasing down ball carriers
- Demonstrates good mental processing, quickly diagnosing screens and swing passes to make plays in space
- Shows surprising play strength for his size when setting the edge against tight ends in the run game
- Effective hand usage to disengage from blockers, particularly in run defense situations
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- May face challenges against more powerful offensive tackles in the run game at the NFL level
- Lacks elite bend around the edge, sometimes getting pushed too far upfield and out of plays
- Bull rush and power moves less effective against top-tier competition, struggled to break anchors of elite tackles
- Can get stuck on blocks from tight ends and pulling guards, needs to improve technique to shed more consistently
- Occasionally plays with high pad level, reducing his leverage and ability to win at the point of attack
Scouting Report: Summary
Stewart profiles as a high-upside EDGE rusher with immediate third-down value. His explosive first step and diverse pass-rush moves translate well to the NFL, making him a potential impact player in sub-packages from day one. While he may start as a situational pass rusher, Stewart has the tools to develop into an every-down player.His frame and athleticism fit the mold of the modern EDGE defender, allowing scheme versatility in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. Stewart's ability to drop into coverage adds value in zone blitz packages. His motor and pursuit skills will endear him to coaches and make him a core special teams player early in his career.
To reach his ceiling as a starter, Stewart must improve his play strength and refine his technique against the run. If he can add power to his game without sacrificing quickness, he could become a disruptive force on all three downs. His production against top competition suggests a high floor, with the potential to outperform his draft position if he continues to develop.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Josaiah Stewart (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
72.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
27.0
*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.