The Arizona Cardinals could go a number of ways with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Based on where they sit with the 16th overall pick, prospects that fit in terms of projection include defensive linemen, edge rushers, offensive linemen, linebackers and even receivers.
Which way do they go in the new first-round mock draft from The Draft Network's Jaime Eisner?
He has the Cardinals going with Texas A&M edge defender Shemar Stewart.
Shemar Stewart is more of a projection than a finished product right now, and box-score scouts hate him, but he's got all the tools to develop into a high-end pass rusher in the NFL. The Cardinals don't have enough juice in their defensive front, and adding a player like Stewart to pair with Josh Sweat will help Jonathan Gannon's defense immensely.
Stewart was one of the best combine performers and his physical comps are a match with studd pass rusher Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. However, the production isn't there. He had 4.5 total sacks in three seasons for the Aggies, getting 1.5 sacks each season.
That makes him a potential bust, but the lack of production could be explained. Teammate Nic Scourton led the Big Ten in 2023 with 10 sacks, transferred to Texas A&M and only had five.
Could it simply be that they scheme poorly for edge rushers?
He has the athleticism. If the tape looks good and the character is there and the Cardinals believe in their coaches, he can do more in the pros.
Odafe Oweh of the Baltimore Ravens had zero sacks in his final season at Penn State, was drafted in the first round and had 10 sacks last season.
So while Stewart will make many fans nervous, he isn't necessarily a bad pick. He is a risky one, but he has the traits worth gambling on.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals land Shemar Stewart with 16th pick
