New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile: Edge Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

Josaiah Stewart has an explosive first step that helps him zip into the backfield before an offensive lineman can react.

Josaiah Stewart, Edge

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 249 lbs
Class: Senior
School: Michigan / Coastal Carolina
Hand Size: 9 ½”
Arm Length: 31 ⅞”
Wingspan: 79”
STATS

A former three-star recruit from Everett High School in Massachusetts, where he was the fourth-ranked player from that state and the 34th EDGE rusher during the 2021 recruiting cycle.

Stewart was born in the Bronx. He initially attended Coastal Carolina for two seasons before transferring to Michigan prior to the 2023 season, where he helped the Wolverines win the National Championship. Stewart was a four-star recruit in the transfer portal – the fourth overall EDGE and the 70th player.

Josaiah Stewart recorded four sacks as a freshman at Coastal Carolina against Georgia Southern, setting the single-game sack record for his school.

He had 41 pressures as a freshman and 40 as a sophomore before transferring to Michigan, where he recorded 29 as a junior and 37 as a senior. Stewart was a Freshman All-American and was First-Team All-Sun Belt in 2021.

He also was Second-Team All-Big-10 in 2024 and Second-Team All-Sun Belt in 2022.

Strengths

Height deficiency provides natural leverage – he understands how to use this to his advantage
Low nature and movement skills make him very difficult to frame
Good overall athlete who smoothly changes direction with above-average lateral movement skills
Elite first step off the line of scrimmage
Very sudden mover – excellent short-area-quickness
Elite explosiveness + force into contact
Possesses Super Saiyan pop on contact
Plays with controlled aggression
Heavy hands with excellent counter moves and an ability to string them together
Quick first three steps with a sufficient bend to win high-side
Very good power rush moves
Flashed several pass-rushing moves – could use them more consistently
Understands how to remove OL hands from contact
Hits like a ton of bricks – physical
Can convert speed to power
Adequate overall run defender
Will destroy tight ends – good luck if you leave him unblocked
Sets a tight edge vs. TEs, and has done so when technique/timing is on his side
Excellent backside pursuit defender
Showed competency dropping into shallow zone coverages – asset for simulated pressure
Elite competitive toughness and effort
Team Captain – widely praised by Michigan’s program – more so than usual

Josiah Stewart is that guy

•6'1 245
•8.5 sacks this year for Michigan
•Great hands off the edge
•Super Explosive and Fast with his get offs
•Aggressive Run Defender
•Strong Bull rusher
•Creates pressure very easily pic.twitter.com/RHdL6RKgi3
— NFLDraftWeb (@NFLDraftWeb) March 28, 2025

Weaknesses

Marginal height and length for an EDGE
His measurables are an issue
Can get overpower and engulfed by offensive linemen
Anchor’s foundation can falter vs. power – must stay low and dictate rep
Enough bend to win high side but lacks elite bend with poor measurables

Sep 14, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) pursues a play on defense against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Michigan Stadium. | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Summary

Josaiah Stewart possesses a quick first step with excellent force into contact and the ability to convert his explosive nature into power.

He also possesses a speed/bend combination to win high side, albeit his bend is not elite. Stewart is praised for his work ethic and toughness, and his play is indicative of the praise. He’s always going full speed and is an absolute terror on the EDGE.

His biggest issue are the measurables; his height and lack of length will turn teams off and could force Stewart to slide in the draft. If that’s the case, he will be an INSANE value for a team that wants a rotational edge who understands how to create pressure and is athletic enough to drop into space.

He’ll likely start as a 3-4 outside linebacker with upside who will thrive early as a pass-rushing specialist, but he’ll always be fighting to overcome his measurables. Still, if I’m a general manager, I’m finding a way to draft Josaiah Stewart.

GRADE: 6.28

Nick Falato's Draft Grade Chart | Nick Falato

Josaiah Stewart, Edge

Strengths

Weaknesses

Summary

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