The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart 17th overall Thursday, in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Stewart appeared in 37 games over three seasons with Texas A&M, recording 65 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss over his career.

Much of the conversation this draft cycle centered around Stewart’s lack of production for someone with as impressive an athletic profile as he has. At nearly 6-foot-6 with a sub-4.6 40-yard dash, Stewart scored a 9.99 out of 10 on the combine’s “relative athletic score,” which compares athleticism of all prospects over decades of draft classes.

Now, Stewart heads to Cincinnati with a chance to be a difference-maker along the Bengals’ defensive line for years to come. The Bengals ranked 25th in sacks (36) last season and 145th in rushing yards per game (124.82)

Here’s what Bengals fans can expect from their new first-round pass rusher:

What to know about Shemar Stewart

Stewart is a product of Monsignor Pace Academy in Miami and came to A&M as the third-ranked defensive lineman in the 2022 high school recruiting class and the No. 1 prospect in Florida.

Stewart measured at 6 feet, 5 inches at the combine and recorded 10 feet, 11 inches on the broad jump and 40 inches on the vertical leap, finishing first and second in his position group, respectively. All while weighing in at 290 pounds.

He started all 12 regular-season games in 2024 and led the team with seven QB hurries. Stewart was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2022 and finished his career by being named to the All-SEC third team last season.

Shemar Stewart’s fit with the Bengals

Cincinnati is in a contract dispute with long-time pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Adding Stewart allows for some insurance if Hendrickson doesn’t end up with the team.

The Bengals hired former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who primarily runs a 4-3 base defense with a 4-2 nickel scheme. This allows Stewart to be a true defensive end who can be a high-level pass rusher and a strong force on the edge in the run game.

Golden is expected to implement some 3-4 looks that allow Stewart to be used in exotic ways along the defensive line, heightening his potential impact.

Stewart is a physically imposing football player who many believe has his best years ahead of him.

With limited production in college, getting him to Cincy with the Bengals’ defensive coaches and allowing the staff to refine his skillset while matching it with his freakish ability could enable Stewart to be one of the draft’s biggest steals.

Strengths: Play strength, motor, athleticism, size.

Weaknesses: Overly aggressive nature can be a detriment, technique, mental mistakes.

What our reporter noticed: When watching Stewart on film, his athleticism immediately pops off the screen. His ability to reset the line of scrimmage with his strength and his consistent presence in the offensive backfield while also playing sideline to sideline are the main reasons he is viewed as a Day 1 draft pick in most circles. Penalties and mental mistakes seem to hamper him a bit, but if he plays with controlled aggression at the next level, he should have a long and prosperous NFL career.