It's not a secret that the Green Bay Packers need pass-rush help this offseason. Coach Matt LaFleur spelled out the problem during his end-of-season press conference, noting that he expected to win with four rushers a "heck of a lot more."
LaFleur then fired defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, signaling that change is on the way.
The question isn't whether the Packers add pass-rush talent but how. Could they sign a free agent like Khalil Mack or Josh Sweat? Will they trade for Maxx Crosby? The answer to the second question is almost certainly not.
General manager Brian Gutekunst could draft another pass-rusher in the first round, as he did by selecting Rashan Gary in 2019 and Lukas Van Ness in 2023. One candidate has made an outstanding start to the Senior Bowl, which could put him on the Packers' radar.
Potential Packers target Shemar Stewart has a mic-drop moment after turning heads at Senior Bowl
Many draft analysts have connected the Packers to Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Stewart. He has the potential to become an elite pass-rusher but lacked college production. Sound familiar? The same was true for Gary and Van Ness.
However, the Packers love Senior Bowl standouts, and Stewart is checking that box so far. Even better? He undoubtedly delivered the quote of the week.
Stewart turned heads with an impressive bull rush that knocked the offensive lineman to the ground. He then summed it up perfectly.
"I told No. 52 I was going to run through his face and then I ran through his face," Stewart told Devin Jackson of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart drawing a loud crowd reaction after this dominant bull rush #GigEm #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/fEavcpjLLS
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) January 28, 2025
It wasn't Stewart's only impressive quote at practice. He was asked where teams should consider drafting him.
"If I was a GM, I'd take me with the highest pick you've got. You don't want to miss this," Stewart told NFL Network.
Message received. Stewart's Senior Bowl performance could elevate his draft stock, with many viewing him as a potential top-15 pick. His lack of college production (4.5 sacks in three seasons) is the only issue and understandably concerns Packers fans. It's time to get an instant contributor and not another project, especially with Van Ness failing to make a big impact in his first two seasons.
Still, Stewart has superstar potential and could be a home-run pick if he is on the board at No. 23 overall.
The Packers often select multiple Senior Bowl standouts, and Stewart has made the perfect start.