Bengals draft targets: Should Shemar Stewart be the pick?

The Cincinnati Bengals really need help on the edge, especially if they decide to move Trey Hendrickson if they can't agree on a new deal. The position has been a popular pick in mock drafts and for good reason. One name that could be on the board at No. 17 is Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M. But should the Bengals take the former Aggie?

Case for Stewart

Getting Stewart means one of the most explosive and athletic edge rushers in this class. Stewart has all the traits you want for a defensive end. He has size, speed, power. He has shown flashes of getting to the quarterback and would be a great complement to Hendrickson or have the potential to eventually lead the charge. In a division that also features power football on the ground, Stewart does a great job of setting the edge against the run.

Case against Stewart

We've all heard the argument that Stewart was very unproductive at Texas A&M. He had just 4.5 total sacks in three years. Stewart is a classic case of "traits versus production". Do you think the switch can be turned on and Stewart can actually get to the quarterback at the next level? Do you feel comfortable banking on those traits? He also had inconsistencies with finishing and breaking down when making tackles.

The Verdict

Yes, it's true Stewart wasn't very productive in college. But that can be attributed to what A&M asked Stewart to do. He was asked to be more of a contain player and set the edge rather than really get after the quarterback more often. Given the opportunity to be more of a pass-rusher, Stewart can show more than just flashes of sacking the quarterback. Al Golden can get the most out of Stewart.