The Cincinnati Bengals selected Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals turned heads on the opening night of the 2025 NFL Draft, using the 17th overall pick to select Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart. Known for his raw athleticism, disruptive potential, and high ceiling, Stewart becomes the latest piece in the Bengals’ ongoing mission to fortify their defensive front and return to Super Bowl contention.
While many analysts expected Cincinnati to address the offensive line or secondary, the franchise pivoted to a player they believe can be a difference-maker on defense for years to come. Stewart, a former five-star recruit and one of the most physically imposing defenders in the SEC, brings versatility, explosiveness, and a relentless motor to a Bengals defense that’s looking to regain its edge.
A Strategic Pick for a Rebuilding Front Seven
Cincinnati’s defense, particularly the front seven, took a step back in 2024. With inconsistent pass rush production and an aging interior rotation, the Bengals entered the 2025 offseason determined to inject youth and power into their defensive line.
Enter Shemar Stewart.
At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Stewart offers an ideal frame for a 4-3 defensive end or a hybrid edge-rushing role. He’s long, quick off the snap, and plays with a combination of physicality and finesse that made him one of the more intriguing defensive line prospects in this year’s class.
“We think Shemar can be an immediate impact guy,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in a post-draft press conference. “His size, his get-off, and his ability to play multiple positions along the line give us a lot of flexibility.”
The Bengals have struggled at times to generate consistent pressure with their front four. While Trey Hendrickson remains a top-tier edge rusher, depth and production from the opposite side have been inconsistent. Stewart gives defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo another weapon to attack opposing quarterbacks and disrupt plays before they can develop.
College Career: Stewart’s Rise at Texas A&M
Shemar Stewart entered Texas A&M as one of the crown jewels of the 2022 recruiting class — a consensus five-star from Monsignor Pace High School in Miami, Florida. He chose the Aggies over a host of national powerhouses, including Alabama, Georgia, and Miami, citing the program’s NFL pipeline and the opportunity to compete in the SEC.
Over three seasons in College Station, Stewart developed into a fearsome presence on the Aggies’ defensive line. He finished the 2024 season with 48 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks — despite facing double teams on nearly every snap.
Scouts praised his improvement in hand technique, his ability to convert speed to power, and his willingness to play with leverage in run defense. Perhaps most notably, Stewart displayed his best performances against the SEC’s top offensive lines, showcasing his readiness for the next level.
“He’s a guy who kept getting better every year,” said Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko. “And he’s just scratching the surface. Cincinnati’s getting a player with All-Pro potential.”
Pre-Draft Evaluation: A Closer Look at Stewart’s Profile
Shemar Stewart’s pre-draft process confirmed what the film already showed — he’s a rare athlete with elite traits. At the NFL Combine, he posted eye-popping numbers for a man his size, including:
- 40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds
- Vertical jump: 34 inches
- Bench press: 26 reps of 225 pounds
- Arm length: 35 inches
Those metrics placed him among the top performers at his position, boosting his stock heading into April.
Analysts like NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Todd McShay consistently ranked Stewart as a top-20 overall talent, with some suggesting he had the tools to become a top-10 pick if he continued refining his pass rush technique.
“He’s raw, but the upside is massive,” Jeremiah said during draft coverage. “You don’t find many guys who can rush from the edge, set the edge in the run game, and kick inside on third down.”
That versatility is what made him especially appealing to a Bengals team that values multiple fronts and unpredictable pressure schemes.
Reaction Around the League
The Bengals’ selection of Stewart drew praise from across the NFL landscape.
Former Bengals defensive tackle and current ESPN analyst Domata Peko applauded the pick on social media, calling Stewart a “game-wrecker” who could be the “next great Bengals lineman.”
NFL.com gave the pick an A-, noting that Cincinnati “passed on a couple of safer options at other positions but swung big with one of the draft’s most intriguing talents.”
Not all reactions were glowing, however. Some draft pundits questioned whether Stewart’s pass-rush technique was refined enough to contribute early in his rookie season. Others pointed to his occasional lapses in gap discipline at Texas A&M as areas that will require coaching at the next level.
Still, the consensus is that Stewart’s ceiling is incredibly high, and the Bengals were wise to bet on his traits and potential.
Stewart’s Fit in Cincinnati’s Defense
One of the most compelling aspects of the Stewart pick is his scheme fit in Lou Anarumo’s system. Anarumo has built a reputation for maximizing hybrid defenders and crafting creative packages that disguise pressure and coverage.
Stewart can play defensive end in base packages and shift inside on passing downs, a role similar to how the Bengals have used Sam Hubbard and former lineman Carl Lawson. His ability to anchor against the run while also pressuring the quarterback gives Anarumo more tools to deploy in key situations.
“It’s about disrupting rhythm,” Anarumo said. “And Shemar gives us another guy who can do that — whether he’s lining up outside or crashing through the B-gap.”
Pairing Stewart with Trey Hendrickson, D.J. Reader, and B.J. Hill could allow Cincinnati to rotate fresher bodies throughout games and develop one of the more formidable front lines in the AFC North.
Stewart’s Reaction: Ready to Work
Following his selection, Shemar Stewart spoke with media from his home in Florida, expressing both surprise and excitement about joining the Bengals.
“I’m blessed, man. Just blessed,” Stewart said. “I’ve worked my whole life for this moment. To be part of the Bengals — a team that’s been fighting at the top of the AFC — I’m ready to go make plays.”
Stewart also praised the team’s culture and quarterback Joe Burrow.
“I can’t wait to meet Joe. I’ve been watching him for years. Now I get to help our defense get him the ball back. Let’s get to work.”
His humility and hunger to improve were major themes throughout the call, with Stewart acknowledging that he still has “a lot to learn” but is committed to “getting in the lab and working.”
What the Pick Means for Cincinnati’s 2025 Outlook
With a franchise quarterback in place, solid offensive weapons, and a defense that has shown flashes of dominance, the Bengals are clearly in win-now mode. Their draft strategy, particularly in Round 1, reflected a desire to add playmakers who can contribute immediately while still developing long-term.
Shemar Stewart may not be a Day 1 starter, but his upside and situational impact could be felt early in his rookie season — especially as part of sub-packages on third down.
If he adapts quickly to NFL speed and develops under the tutelage of Anarumo and the Bengals’ veteran leaders, Stewart could emerge as one of the steals of the 2025 draft.
A New Chapter in the Bengals’ Defensive Evolution
Cincinnati has long prided itself on building through the trenches. From Geno Atkins to Carlos Dunlap to Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals’ defensive identity has always been defined by powerful, aggressive linemen.
Shemar Stewart now joins that lineage.
He’s not a finished product, but few rookies are. What Stewart brings to the table is potential — the kind that, with the right coaching and experience, could turn him into a perennial Pro Bowler.
The Bengals believe in that potential. And with the 17th overall pick, they made it clear: they’re ready to develop the next great defensive star in Cincinnati.
