The NFL Combine’s Day 2 is all about potential defensive difference-makers, with defensive linemen and linebackers being the focus. As the workouts get underway, here is a look at two Texas A&M defenders whose draft stock is moving in opposing directions.
Nic Scourton Falling Down Draft Boards at NFL Combine
Nic Scourton was billed as a top-10 pick but slipped a bit when evaluators said his flexibility might be an issue as a pass rusher.
To be fair to Scourton, he was a productive pass rusher who tallied 10.0 sacks with Purdue in 2023 and then led the Aggies with five sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.
According to Scourton, his dropping weight from 285 to 265 and his transfer to Texas A&M from Purdue have given him exactly what he needed. He said, “I thought A&M did exactly for me what I needed to go over there to learn to play the run better, you know, learn more run schemes.”
Scourton will need a big performance at the NFL Combine to get his draft stock back on track.
Shemar Stewart’s Stock Rises at NFL Combine
NFL.com has labeled Shemar Stewart a “first guy off the bus” prospect. At 6’5″ and weighing 281 pounds, he is a lethal blend of size, speed, and skill.
The same article also said that in 37 games as an edge defender, he only had 4.5 sacks, which is 1.5 per season. Stewart also countered these claims: “I wasn’t a sack-chasing warrior. “I just wanted to become the best player for my team. And sometimes the stats don’t show that.”
6’5″ 267 lb DE Shemar Stewart just jumped 40″ in the vert ‼️@AggieFootball @ShemarStewart14
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4zqMpcPwqM— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
Daniel Jeremiah ranked Stewart 28th before the Combine. According to Pro Football Focus, Stewart led Texas A&M with 39 pressures in 12 games. He also showcased some elite ability in preparation for the Senior Bowl, which elevated his draft stock.
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“I felt like the Senior Bowl allowed me to show people my ability,” Stewart said, “because they had just seen me on tape and were like, ‘Oh, he’s just big; he’s not fast.’ I went in there and answered everybody’s questions. I showed people why I should be a first-round pick.”
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