The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is now in the books. The Cincinnati Bengals entered the draft with the No. 17 pick and a few clear needs. A defense that was poor in 2024 needed starters at multiple spots, and the team ended up selecting Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Stewart.
Stewart is a solid prospect who had off-the-charts testing numbers and is an unreal athlete. However, that never led to crazy production in college, as Stewart had just 4.5 sacks in three seasons.
The Bengals seriously need help on the edge though, and clearly the team believes in Stewart's traits. Nobody knows yet if Trey Hendrickson will be on this team when the season starts, so Stewart may have to contribute immediately in Cincinnati.
If Hendrickson sticks around, though, Stewart would be able to learn beside one of the best edge-rushers in the league. A Stewart-Hendrickson duo has the potential to terrorize offenses and give the Bengals an element that was missing in 2024.
So what did NFL analysts think of the Stewart selection? Let's see what grades the Bengals got.
Shemar Stewart NFL draft grades for Bengals
Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: C-
Manzano: "The Bengals added some much-needed help for their defense. The massive 6' 5", 267-pound Stewart excelled at creating pressure from multiple positions in the Aggies’ crowded defensive front. There’s plenty of untapped potential with Stewart, but his lack of sacks in college might be concerning for teams. He was held to 1.5 sacks in each of his three seasons."
Prisco: "The Bengals needed edge help, but Stewart is raw and lacks football instincts. There wasn't a lot of production to his game. The tape shows a player who needs to learn how to play football. But the talent is there."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: B
Middlehurst-Schwartz: "As the Trey Hendrickson drama lingers, Cincinnati affords itself some flexibility on the edge for both the short and long term. Regardless of whether the Bengals move the NFL's reigning sack king, the defense needed to create more pressure. Stewart can certainly do that, and the 6-5, 267-pounder certainly fits the bill of what the organization looks for at defensive end with his imposing build and athleticism. But can he actually develop a finishing touch? Usage issues were partially responsible for Stewart's shortage of production, but he also has to figure out a way to play with more control when he gets a quarterback or ball carrier in his sights."
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A-
Iyer: "The Bengals maybe got a little aggressive to fill their need for a pass-rushing end as either a contingency for a possible Trey Hendrickson trade or a replacement for Joseph Ossai opposite Hendrickson in the wake of Sam Hubbard's retirement. But otherwise, this is a great pick for Al Golden given Stewart's explosive upside for the scheme."
MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT: SN's 7-round mock | Top 250 big board | Expert mock draft roundup