The Bucs will likely be seeking to see enhancements of their defensive gamers subsequent season, however they may even want reinforcements. Whereas Tampa Bay made investments alongside the defensive position with their high picks within the 2022 (Logan Corridor) and 2023 (Calijah Kancey) draft lessons, they might look to take action once more.
Relying on who’s on the board at No. 19 within the 2025 NFL Draft, they may see including one other defensive lineman as a technique to bolster the cross rush and trenches. One of the vital intriguing gamers linked to the crew in mock drafts is Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart.
What Stewart lacks in sack manufacturing, he makes up for it with the traits and drive to be one of many recreation’s finest.
Shemar Stewart Has Labored On Turning Pressures To Sacks
Florida QB DJ Lagway and Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart – Picture by: USA At the moment
Shemar Stewart didn’t pile up sacks throughout his time at Texas A&M. Throughout three seasons with the Aggies, Stewart had 1.5 sacks every season, ending with 4.5 sacks in 37 video games. Whereas these numbers are nowhere close to what anybody would need or count on from somebody projected to be a first-round decide, a breakout may very well be across the nook for him as he makes the soar to the NFL.
Stewart had 39 pressures final season, together with six hurries in three separate video games. He graded a lot better in run protection, ending the yr with an 88.2 grade per Professional Soccer Focus. The 6-foot-5, 281-pound defensive lineman has seen his exhausting work repay as a run-stopper.
“Definitely striking blocks,” Stewart instructed Pewter Report through the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl week about the place he has made the most important strides. “My run defense sucked when I came into college. Play recognition, just a lot.”
Nonetheless, the elephant within the room is his lackluster sack totals.
The Bucs have buying a premium cross rusher on the high of their offseason to-do listing and will go the veteran route to deal with it. With the way in which head coach Todd Bowles values versatility throughout his protection although, Stewart is a tantalizing possibility. He has the scale to play alongside the defensive position in Bowles’ 3-4 scheme, however he may additionally rotate in as an out of doors linebacker. His athleticism and sky-high ceiling may enamor somebody to take an opportunity on him, however he would profile as a secondary addition to a extra confirmed identify.
Shemar Stewart is a participant you need to belief the tape and traits on. Limitless potential with such a strong basis.
This rep is an instance. Ball goes away, however Stewart reveals textbook method. Disciplined. Bodily. It’s every part you educate. pic.twitter.com/dKqJVmLO3T
Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart – Picture by: USA At the moment
“That’s something that I’ve been working on,” Stewart mentioned about turning pressures into sacks. “Whether that’s fixing my bend or fixing my footwork on a specific angle. At the end of the day, I want to be great at the game of football. I want to be one of the all-time greats when it’s all said and done. The great ones find a way to get it done so that’s what I’ve been working on doing.”
Shemar Stewart has an extended technique to go earlier than figuring out his subsequent crew with the 2025 NFL Draft nonetheless over two months away, however when requested about his slot in Tampa Bay subsequent to defensive linemen Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, he has a connection to Kancey already.
“Calijah is a Miami native,” Stewart mentioned. “I think it would be great to play with somebody from the same hometown as me.”
The 2025 NFL Scouting Mix will likely be one other week for Stewart to showcase to potential groups that he’s totally different. It might imply taking a guess on him, however not many gamers flash the way in which he does on the soccer discipline.
