LB, Texas A&M
Twitter handle: @jstew11
Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 11th-ranked inside linebacker, #270 player overall, 7th-round to free agent grade.
Scouts Inc: 15th-ranked ILB, ranked as a free agent. Grade: 36, borderline draft prospect.
DraftCountdown: 11th-ranked ILB, late-round to free agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2012: A&M switched (back) to 4-3, where Stewart started all 13 games at MLB. 81 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 7 quarterback hurries.
2011: Started all 13 games as a 3-4 ILB. 98 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
2010: Moved to 3-4 ILB but never started. Played in all 13 games on special teams. 7 tackles with 1 tackle for loss.
2009: Started 7 of 13 games, all at 4-3 OLB. 28 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup and 1 quarterback hurry.
Major: sports management.
Injuries: none reported.
NFL Combine stats: (linebacker averages in parentheses)
4.68 40 (average was 4.75. Jonathan ran 4.55 at his pro day. Alec Ogletree's times were 4.70 / 4.64)
1.59 10-yard split
31” vertical jump (3rd-worst by a linebacker. Average was 33.5")
9'10" broad jump (9'11")
7.44 3-cone drill (also 3rd-worst at LB. Average was 7.14)
4.53 20-yard shuttle (2nd-worst LB. Average: 4.34)
19 bench press (22)
Half the LBs didn't even do the vertical jump, 3-cone drill or 20-yard shuttle.
Positives: Wins with speed, closes quickly on the edge, an ideal read-option defender. Impressive position workout at his pro day. Measures up to the position physically. Better-than-average straight line speed. Reads keys well and reacts quickly. Height helps him there. Heavy hitter who plays with good leverage. Good strength and leg drive as a tackler. Good closing burst. Takes good angles. Has speed to stay with receivers downfield. Solid special teams player. No injury issues. Handled calls and pre-snap adjustments well. Should be a fit in any scheme. Intense competitor who matured throughout his college career and took on a leadership role as a senior.
Negatives: Below-average instincts against the run, and even less instinctive in pass coverage. Inconsistent with run fits and loses gap integrity. Needs to work on handwork to shed blockers better. His short arms hurt him there as well. Poor instincts to get off his block and fill the gap against the runner. Below-average range, change-of-direction and movement skills. Doesn't work through traffic well. Consistently fooled by any kind of misdirection. Tends to wait at second level instead of meeting runner in the hole. Too hesitant, won't attack the runner even if he has a clean path to him. Lets the play come to him. Has trouble breaking down in open field and poor balance tackling on the move. Liability in pass coverage - doesn't have a good feel for it and is not a playmaker. Easily juked off-kilter by receivers. Major limitations in pass coverage and as a blitzer will limit him to being a two-down linebacker in the pros. Had three different defensive coordinators in four years.
Compares to: Bryan Kehl.
Fun Facts: The Rams play Carolina this October, creating the possibility of Jonathan Stewart tackling Jonathan Stewart. The last similar play I could find was in 2009, Dallas vs. Atlanta, when Mike Jenkins tackled Michael Jenkins.
RamView: Having set three OLBs free in free agency, the Rams should have a couple of wide-open camp races for depth at the position. There appear to be a lot of flaws in Stewart's game, but he'll be needed much more as a special teams player early in his career, and his experience there on A&M's legendary special teams looks like his biggest edge. He could plug right into Justin Cole's spot. If the Rams are looking at Stewart for MLB depth, though, he's likely as doomed as Alex Hoffman-Ellis was last summer, so I have to hedge his chances a bit.
Chance of making team: 40%.
Sources: NFLDraftScout.com, NFL.com, ESPN.com, DraftCountdown.com, Texas A&M athletics, Bleacher Report, 12th Man Magazine (Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation), Pro Football Reference
Photo: Associated Press
No comments:
Post a Comment