One of the Cincinnati Bengals’ top priorities for the 2025 offseason, aside from extending Ja’Marr Chase, is to strengthen a defense that underperformed, contributing to the team’s second consecutive miss from the playoffs.
Specifically, the Bengals need to reinforce their defensive line, both on the edge and inside. Trey Hendrickson is entering the final year of his contract, Sam Hubbard may be cut, and Joseph Ossai will be a free agent. Additionally, interior linemen Jay Tufele and B.J. Hill are also set to hit the open market.
Considering these factors, Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling predicts that the Bengals will select Shemar Stewart, a defender from Texas A&M, with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Easterling notes, “Trey Hendrickson is one of the NFL’s top edge rushers, but the Bengals need to upgrade the other side of their defensive line. Like his Aggie teammate Scourton, Stewart is a versatile defender who can play both on the edge or inside. He’s the perfect fit for what Cincinnati seeks in their edge rushers.”
Stewart’s versatility, able to play both on the edge and inside, makes him a valuable asset for the Bengals. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Stewart combines size and skill to provide flexibility along the defensive line.
Keith Sanchez from The Draft Network highlighted Stewart’s physical tools, stating, “Stewart is a rare athlete with an exceptional combination of size and athleticism. With proper coaching, he has the potential to become a premier pass rusher at the NFL level. His ceiling is one of the highest among players entering the league.”
In his three years with the Aggies, Stewart recorded 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He earned a career-high 79.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade and impressed with his run defense, earning an 88.2 grade.
The Bengals need to improve both their pass rush and run defense, and Stewart has the ability to contribute significantly in both areas, making him an ideal fit for Cincinnati.
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