Dylan Stewart - South Carolina EDGE/OLB - 2027 NFL Draft Prospect

South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart enters the 2027 NFL Draft cycle as one of the most physically gifted defensive prospects in the country. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds with an estimated 4.60-second forty-yard dash, Stewart possesses the combination of length, explosiveness, and athleticism NFL teams search for when evaluating potential difference-makers off the edge.

Still a young and developing player, Stewart already flashes the ability to disrupt an offense in multiple ways. As a sophomore, he recorded five sacks, 37 quarterback pressures, and three forced fumbles, demonstrating that his impact extends beyond the traditional sack totals. His ability to consistently affect the quarterback makes him particularly intriguing because there remains considerable room for growth in his game.

Stewart's best attribute may be his explosive first step. He gets out of his stance quickly and immediately puts offensive tackles under pressure. His burst around the corner forces blockers to open their hips early, creating opportunities for Stewart to either continue bending toward the quarterback or counter back inside.

His length provides another significant advantage, allowing him to frequently initiate contact before opposing tackles get their hands established. He uses that reach to create separation, disengage from blockers, and keep himself clean while pursuing the football. As his hand technique becomes more refined, that physical advantage should become even more difficult for blockers to overcome.

Unlike some young pass rushers who concentrate almost exclusively on getting after the quarterback, Stewart has also shown himself to be stout against the run. He understands how to set the edge, use his length to keep blockers away from his frame, and force running backs back toward the interior of the defense. His combination of size and athleticism gives him legitimate three-down potential at the next level.

The biggest question surrounding Stewart is how much refinement he can add to his game. Right now, he wins primarily because of his physical gifts. His pass-rushing repertoire remains relatively undeveloped, and NFL tackles will eventually adjust if he cannot consistently counter when his initial attack is stopped. Developing additional inside moves, hand combinations, and counters will be important.

Stewart also isn't nearly as polished when asked to drop into coverage. While athletic enough to handle occasional assignments in space, his greatest value comes moving forward rather than backward. NFL teams should view him primarily as an edge defender rather than attempting to make him a traditional coverage linebacker.

Strengths

• Explosive First Step: Excellent burst immediately stresses offensive tackles and creates leverage around the corner.

• NFL Length: Uses his long frame and reach to initiate contact, disengage, and keep blockers away from his body.

• Quarterback Pressure: Generated 37 pressures as a sophomore despite finishing with only five sacks.

• Run Defense: Stout at the point of attack and already demonstrates the discipline necessary to set the edge.

• Turnover Creation: Three forced fumbles demonstrate his ability to create game-changing plays when reaching the quarterback.
  

Weaknesses

• Pass-Rush Repertoire: Needs additional counters and more developed hand techniques when his initial move fails.

• Coverage Ability: Far more comfortable attacking the backfield than dropping into space.

• Experience: Still young and learning the finer points of playing the position.

• Technical Consistency: Can rely too heavily on his athletic advantages rather than technique.

Conclusion

Dylan Stewart possesses nearly everything NFL teams want physically from a modern edge defender. He has size, length, explosiveness, speed, and the ability to defend the run. The exciting part is that Stewart remains far from a finished product. If he develops a deeper collection of pass-rushing moves and becomes more technically consistent, his ceiling is exceptionally high.

Draft Nation currently views Stewart as a first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, with an opportunity to move into the upper portion of Round One if his production catches up with his physical tools. Stewart isn't yet a polished NFL edge rusher, but he already possesses the traits teams cannot teach.