Various checkpoints along the road to the NFL Draft impact a prospect's stock. The NFL Scouting Combine is one of them.
Some prospects have already punched their ticket to a top-10 selection and don't need to test in Indianapolis. For them, it's all about meeting with potential teams. For others, the NFL Combine presents an opportunity to stand out and push their way up draft boards.
Barring a trade, the Green Bay Packers won't hit the clock until No. 23 in the first round. Potential targets could push themselves out of their range by the time Roger Goodell announces their selection in front of the hometown fans in Green Bay.
Last year, it was Quinyon Mitchell. Many initially believed he would fall to the bottom of the first round, or even the second, but he climbed draft boards after a dominant Senior Bowl performance and a head-turning NFL Combine.
History is repeating itself. Texas A&M pass-rusher Shemar Stewart is a popular choice for the Packers' 23rd selection in mock drafts, but his performance in Indianapolis may have crushed that dream.
Shermar Stewart could have taken himself out of Packers' range with outstanding NFL Combine performance
Many analysts believed Stewart could fall due to his lack of college production, but he has done everything possible to calm those fears with a near-perfect offseason. He was a standout performer at the Senior Bowl last month. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler praised him for his "wow" moments in Mobile, Alabama, noting that an NFL personnel evaluator told him that Stewart had "stamped himself as the best player."
Now, the former five-star recruit has followed it up with an incredible performance in Indianapolis.
Stewart talked a good game when he met with reporters earlier this week, and he backed it up when the athletic testing began. Stewart posted an incredible broad jump of 10 feet and 11 inches, better than any other edge-rusher, and a 40-inch vertical jump, ranking second.
Add in a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, and Stewart earned a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score.
Even with his lack of college production (4.5 sacks in three seasons), it's difficult to envision Stewart falling to No. 23 in the first round. He likely solidified his spot as a top-15 pick.
Only two months ago, the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus board had Stewart as low as 27th overall. That number soared to as high as 17th this week, which was before he turned heads at the NFL Combine. His draft stock is rising rapidly, likely taking him out of the Packers' range.
Stewart has everything Brian Gutekunst looks for. The lack of production won't bother him. Gutekunst will love Stewart's athleticism and traits, and his Senior Bowl tape proves he can win against the best offensive linemen in the class.
Unfortunately, the Packers likely need to trade up to have any shot at landing the Texas A&M pass-rusher.