Green Bay, Wis. – As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the name Shemar Stewart, an edge rusher from Texas A&M, is becoming the focal point for the Green Bay Packers. With the 23rd pick in the first round, the Packers are searching for a game-changer for their defensive line, and Stewart – a polarizing talent with explosive potential – appears to be their top target. But how did this team uncover this raw gem from South Florida? The Packers’ scouting journey to put Stewart on their radar is a compelling story of patience, instinct, and a touch of risk-taking.
The Scouting Journey: From College Fields to Lambeau Field
The process of discovering Stewart began in the fall of 2023, when Packers scouts first noticed him during a Texas A&M game in the SEC. Stewart, then a junior, wasn’t the most prominent name on the stat sheet – recording only 1.5 sacks that season. However, what caught their attention was his freakish athleticism: standing 6’5”, weighing 267 pounds, with arms longer than 84 inches and rare explosiveness for a defensive lineman. “We saw something special in him,” an insider from the Packers’ scouting department shared. “He moved like a panther but had the power of a freight train.”
The man behind pushing Stewart’s name up the Packers’ priority list was Jon-Eric Sullivan, the team’s director of college scouting. Sullivan, a low-key but influential figure in the strategy room, was struck by Stewart’s performance at the 2025 Senior Bowl. During the practice week in Mobile, Alabama, Stewart consistently overpowered offensive linemen, showcasing a blend of speed, strength, and raw technique brimming with potential. “Jon-Eric called him ‘an unpolished Myles Garrett’,” an assistant scout revealed. “He believed that with the right coaching, Stewart could become a superstar.”
Sullivan didn’t work alone. He collaborated closely with DeMarcus Covington, the Packers’ new defensive line coach, who coached Stewart at the Senior Bowl. Covington, with experience from the New England Patriots, saw that Stewart could adapt to versatile defensive schemes – a critical factor in head coach Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 system. “Covington sent detailed reports on how Stewart handled run-pass-option (RPO) situations at Texas A&M,” the source noted. “He believed Stewart was misused in college, and the NFL would be where he’d shine.”
The Defining Moment at the NFL Combine
If the Senior Bowl was where Stewart first appeared on the Packers’ radar, the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis was where he fully captured their attention. Stewart entered the event under pressure to prove he was more than just a “workout warrior.” The result? A historic performance: a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-11-inch broad jump, and a perfect Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10.0 – ranking first among 1,829 defensive ends from 1987 to 2025.
In the Packers’ meeting room at the Combine, the atmosphere turned electric as Stewart’s metrics flashed on the screen. General Manager Brian Gutekunst, known for prioritizing high-upside players like Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, reportedly stood up and said, “This is the kind of player we need!” A story circulated within the team: when Stewart completed his 40-yard dash, Sullivan texted Gutekunst with a simple message: “He’s ours.”
However, this stellar performance also posed a challenge. With his Combine showing, many analysts projected Stewart could climb into the top 10, potentially out of reach for the Packers at pick 23. “We knew he might not be there,” a scout admitted. “But we also prepared for a trade-up scenario if the opportunity arose.”
The Pre-Draft Visit: Connecting at Lambeau Field
On March 19, 2025, Stewart set foot in Green Bay for one of the Packers’ 30 official pre-draft visits – a strong signal of the team’s interest. The visit wasn’t just a chance to evaluate technique but also to assess Stewart’s character and fit within the Packers’ culture. According to sources, Stewart made a strong impression while touring Lambeau Field, snapping photos on the field and posting them to his Instagram – a common move for draft prospects during visits.
During a meeting with head coach Matt LaFleur and Gutekunst, Stewart was asked to break down film of his own plays, focusing on situations where he pressured the quarterback. “He’s very sharp,” a coaching staff member remarked. “Stewart knows his strengths and admitted he needs to refine his hand technique. That self-awareness is huge.” Stewart also shared his personal journey – from a 5-star high school recruit in South Florida to the pressure of meeting expectations at Texas A&M. His story of perseverance resonated with everyone in the room.
A memorable moment from the visit came when Stewart was introduced to Rashan Gary, the Packers’ cornerstone edge rusher. Gary, who was also a high-upside prospect with a slow NFL start, shared insights on patience and technical growth. “They talked for over 30 minutes,” the source recounted. “Gary told Stewart that Green Bay is the perfect place for him to develop because the team has a supportive system and doesn’t rush rookies to stardom.”
Why Stewart is a Packers Target?
The decision to target Stewart reflects Gutekunst’s scouting philosophy: prioritizing potential over immediate production, especially at premium positions like edge rusher. The Packers’ defensive line ranked 22nd in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate in 2024, a weakness Gutekunst is determined to address. With Stewart, the team sees a chance to build a fearsome duo alongside Gary, leveraging his speed and arm length to disrupt opposing offenses.
However, selecting Stewart isn’t without risk. With only 4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart draws comparisons to Lukas Van Ness – the Packers’ 2023 first-round pick who has yet to meet expectations. Some analysts argue the Packers could target higher-production edge rushers like James Pearce Jr. or Donovan Ezeiruaku. Still, Sullivan and Covington believe Stewart’s college environment, with its RPO schemes and versatile roles, limited his output, and the NFL will be his stage to shine.
The Road Ahead
As the 2025 NFL Draft unfolds at Lambeau Field from April 24 to 26, all eyes will be on Gutekunst and his decision at pick 23. Will the Packers wait patiently for Stewart, or will they make a bold trade-up to secure him? Whatever the outcome, the journey to discovering Stewart is a testament to the meticulous and daring work of the Packers’ scouting department – a team unafraid to bet on big dreams.
“Stewart is a project, but he’s the kind of project every team wants,” Sullivan reportedly said in an internal meeting. “If we get it right, he could be the one to change the Packers’ history.”