Saints fans should be ecstatic about the potential of Dylan Stewart to New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints' offseason has had a clear theme: supply Tyler Shough with weapons. This has led to what’s been an extremely successful offense. However, it left some major needs on defense, particularly at edge rusher. If this position remains vacant after the season, they could address it during the 2027 NFL Draft. In fact, ESPN analyst Jordan Reid had the Saints bolstering the group on his way-too-early mock draft.
Obviously, it’s far too soon for these mocks to mean anything. Regardless, it’s still important for fans to familiarize themselves with some potential prospects that they can watch throughout the season. Reid lays out some things Saints fans should look out for in his suburb after the pick.
“The Saints haven't been able to figure out edge rusher since Trey Hendrickson departed after the 2020 season and need a dynamic rusher opposite Chase Young,” Reid wrote. “Stewart is an electric player with high-end lower-body flexibility, which helps him consistently race past blockers. Despite a slender frame, he has good initial pop in his hands, but he must get stronger to anchor and sustain as an edge setter.”
As Reid eluded to, it’s rare to find someone who’s six-foot-five, 245 pounds, and moves like Stewart. He has an absurd first step that makes him a blur as he races past the opposing tackle. Additionally, his elite flexibility allows him to dip below the blocker and finish barrel to the quarterback.
Stewart’s hand usage is impressive for a true junior. His violent arms are constantly swinging, attempting to disrupt the lineman’s punch timing and accuracy. This makes it challenging for them to latch onto Stewart, giving him the instant advantage.
From there, his refined pass rush moves and aforementioned athleticism take over. He has a deep arsenal of moves that he rotates through, which keeps the opposing lineman guessing. These qualities make him a nightmare to defend and a potential double-digit sack artist in the NFL.
The biggest question mark for Stewart is his strength at the point of attack. He struggled in this area during the back half of 2025. Part of this can be tied to his back injury, but it’s still concerning. He needs to develop a better anchor, which will help him set the edge and battle with bigger linemen.
Overall, it’s too early to name Dylan Stewart as a perfect prospect for the Saints, but fans should keep an eye on him throughout the 2026 college football season. They currently need an edge rusher. If that doesn’t change, then don’t be surprised to hear Stewart’s name coming up in the offseason.