The Arizona Cardinals’ biggest offseason need is to address their pass rush from the edge, as they lacked production at outside linebacker and have several players becoming free agents.
They could address it in the 2025 NFL draft and in the latest first-round mock draft from ESPN’s Field Yates, they do exactly that, landing a player with a ton of potential and who made a good showing at the Senior Bowl a couple of weeks ago.
With the 16th pick of the draft, the Cardinals take Texas A&M edge defender Shemar Stewart.
Stewart is a really fascinating prospect, and I think he’s a lock for the first round. He is 6-foot-5, 281 pounds and will be one of the stars of the combine thanks to his ridiculous speed — but he posted exactly 1.5 sacks in each of his three college seasons. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort could take a big swing by landing him here, going all-in on his upside and immense potential. The Cardinals were 26th in pressure rate (28.6%) this season, and their midseason trade for Baron Browning spoke to their pass-rush issues.
Stewart would give the Cardinals good size. The production in college is a major question mark, but the traits are there.
Players of note that are still on the board are Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr., Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen and Michigan DT Kenneth Grant.
Stewart is a guy to watch as the NFL combine approaches later this month.
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