The focus is clear.
It has been no secret that the Atlanta Falcons have gone to the NFL Combine prioritising defensive positions.
The Falcons only took defensive assistants to the combine, opting not to interview a single offensive player.
Defensive linemen and linebackers were the first two position groupings to take the field in Indianapolis on Thursday for the NFL’s annual scouting event.
According to reports, the Falcons will use the 15th pick to select an elite edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Who is Shemar Stewart?
One of the Dirty Bird’s known targets, Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart, had a sensational day.
It had been well known in the build-up to the combine that Stewart has outstanding physical traits.
During his junior year, he started all 12 regular season games at defensive end.
According to his NFL Draft and Combine Prospect Profile, Stewart stands at six feet five inches while weighing 267 pounds.
Stewart wows scouts
The 21-year-old ran a 4.60 in his first 40-yard dash and a 4.59 in his second effort, finishing fourth among defensive linemen.
His athletic testing also resulted in a flawless 10.00 RAS (Relative Athletic Score), a rating system used to compare different prospects.
Among other recorded drills, he posted a 40″ vertical jump and a 10’11” broad jump.
The NFL’s ‘Next Gen Stats’ draft model, which combines data to determine a prospect’s chances of succeeding in the NFL, complimented Stewart.
He boasted an athleticism score of 84, which is just shy of being elite, the fourth best in the entire combine. Following this, his production score was 64, ranking him as average.
According to NFL Network Senior National Reporter Stacey Dales: “He tweaked his hamstring running the 40.”
The injury ruled him out of any position workouts.
Boom or Bust
Many top analysts see Stewart as a huge boom or bust prospect.
In the Falcons case, they need to utilise this draft effectively to sort out their huge defensive incapabilities.
At this time, developing a prospect is simply not an option; any pick needs to have an immediate effect.
The Falcons front office can boast four years of successful first-round picks; they will be hoping this year is no different.
