Rams keep building NFC's best young pass rush with Josaiah Stewart pick

While the other NFL teams have made multiple selections and/or trades in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams are taking the tortoise's strategy to winning this offseason race. The Rams entered the 2025 draft armed with three picks in the first two days of the three-day event. But after prying a 2026 Round 1 pick from the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams lost their second Round 3 pick and will return in Round 7 for their sixth pick on Day 3.

And so far, the only rookie joining the Rams is Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. While there are reasons to hope for Ferguson to have a positive impact on the Rams' offense this season, whatever his eventual impact, he was not projected to come off the board as early as Round 2. Still, he is just one of eight, and there are many players on point to join him.

The Rams knew that they needed to address their edge rusher rotation after losing the very versatile Michael Hoecht to free agency. While the Rams still have not addressed the secondary or linebacker roles, the team was limited with two picks to spend in the first two days.

Considered the 14th-ranked edge rusher in this draft, Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart is second to nobody in terms of passion and production. He is considered a bit undersized for an edge rusher, standing 6-foot-1 and tipping the scales at 249 pounds. He split his college football time between two years at Coastal Carolina and two years at Michigan. Over his four seasons, he posted 150 tackles, 48 tackles for a loss, 30 quarterback sacks, and six forced fumbles.

But he never took a single play off. He worked hard on every play. Best of all, this edge rusher is a savvy pass defender in zone coverage.

The Rams have starters at the outside linebacker position. But having lost Hoecht to free agency, the team is truly in need of a productive and dependable rotational player. That is a custom-fit role for Stewart, who is not built for every down. But he is built to make a huge impact as long as the defense picks his spot. And what is even better about what he brings to defensive snaps is a guy who can bring a powerful pass rush, but combine it with effective pass coverage.

I would not anoint him as the primary rotational player just yet. But he has tremendously positive draft profiles, a bevy of solid video footage, and a passionate style of play that will ignite the performance of teammates.

Stewart is not a starter for his rookie season, nor is he expected to be. But he is a solid upgrade to the edge rusher rotation. This is the type of addition that adds to the team's competitiveness this season, while putting plenty of additional development into the future.

OLB Josaiah Stewart does not help the Rams at either CB or ILB. But he does help the defense. And that works for me.

As always, thanks for reading.

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