ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Slots Bengals With Shemar Stewart in Latest Mock Draft

A popular Bengals position this cycle.

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (DL68) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Bengals stuck with defense as they have in many mock drafts within Mel Kiper Jr.'s third exercise on ESPN.

The analyst has Cincinnati taking Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart with the 17th pick.

"Stewart is one of my 'LTP' guys in the class; he looks the part. His physical traits, as we saw at the combine, will get the interest of teams seeking pass rushers," Kiper wrote. "He leaped 40 inches in the vertical jump then ran a 4.59-second 40. But will the traits translate into production in the pros? His 4.5 sacks over three college seasons are unexpected from a player of his talent. If he puts it all together, though, Stewart has the upside to become a double-digit sack guy.

"Double-digit sacks sound pretty good in Cincinnati right now. The Bengals have been active in keeping their own this month, inking wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to big deals and re-signing defensive tackle B.J. Hill. But they haven't yet extended Trey Hendrickson, and losing him -- he requested a trade -- would be devastating for one of the league's most underwhelming defenses. Hendrickson had 17.5 of the team's 36 sacks last season. Stewart could help give the Bengals another pass-rush contributor or help fill the void if Hendrickson does end up elsewhere."

Stewart is the consensus big board's 13th-best player and third-best edge rusher overall. The CBB has Cincinnati drafting Marshall edge rusher Mike Green as a trendy pick as of this writing.

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