Josaiah Stewart Might Be Undersized, but He’d Be an Explosive Addition to the Commanders

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Josaiah Stewert, EDGE
School: MIchigan | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6’1” / 249 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd-3rd Round

Player Comparison: Yannick Ngakoue

College Statistics

Player Overview

Born in the Bronx, Josaiah Stewart played high school football in Everett, Massachusetts. His high school football featured a few noteworthy players: Lewis Cine, Isaiah Likely, and most importantly – for a few reasons – Mike Sainristil. Stewart had a phenomenal junior season, but his senior season was cancelled due to the pandemic. A three-star recruit, he orginially committed to play at Boston College before flipping his commit and following Likely to Coastal Carolina.

Stewart splashed right away for the Chanticleers. The true freshman put up 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 43 tackles in arguably the program’s best season. He was named All-Sun Belt First Team and earned Freshman All-American honors at the end of the season. He cooled off his sophomore season, but was still a productive defender. When Stewart decided to enter the transfer portal after a season where he earned All-Sun Belt Second Team, former high school teammate Mike Sainristil suggested to his coaches that Michigan add him. Stewart transferred to the Wolverines and his play helped them to a National Championshp. With Sainristil and several other national champs in the NFL, Stewart was named a team captain. The Wolverines struggled; however, Stewart had his most productive season while in Michigan. He was named All-Big Ten Second Team in his final season.

Strengths

• Quick off the snap and around the edge
• Strong enough to maintain rush path around the tackle
• Can convert speed to power and walk back tackles
• Quickness to shoot gaps into the backfield to stop run or rush passer
• Has ability to drop in coverage in the short to intermediate area
• Motor runs hot; doesn’t quit on plays

Weaknesses

• Lack of length can make it hard for him to disengage from blocks
• Linear rusher that doesn’t show a lot bend in his rushes
• Needs to develop more pass rush moves and counters
• Questions of whether he can set the edge in the run game

Let’s See His Work

How does he fit on the team

The Commanders lost their pass-rush specialist, Dante Fowler, Jr., in free agency. He led the team in sacks without being a starter at defensive end. While the team should look for a starting-caliber defensive end, it also could consider adding a rotational pass rusher. Josaiah Stewart’s quickness, burst, and strength could make sense playing that role for the Commanders. As a pass-rush specialist, Stewart could be deployed on obvious passing downs, limiting his weaknesses against the run. If he can improve in this area, he may be a viable starter at defensive end. Now, his size might make him more of a fit as a 3-4 OLB. However, 4-3 teams have found success using undersized rushers in passing situations, a few even becoming starters at defensive end. Nolan Smith, Jr. and Hassan Reddick are examples of this. Even if he doesn’t become a starter, Stewert could give the Commanders an aggressive rusher off the edge on passing downs. Let’s see if the coaches and front office will allow Mike Sainristil to recruit Josaiah Stewart again.