Los Angeles Rams Secure Twitchy, Undersized Defender With Their Only 3rd Round Pick

The Los Angeles Rams traded back in the first round, which netted them a second 2026 first-round draft pick. A part of that trade sent their second third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons, leaving the team with just the 90th overall pick in the draft.

They opted for Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart in the second round, leaving the top needs in the draft unaddressed — cornerback, linebacker, and quarterback.

Los Angeles Rams Select Josaiah Stewart With The 90th Pick In The NFL Draft

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HT 6′1″ | WT 249 | AGE 22.00

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Stewart as the 16th best edge rusher and the 80th overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, writing, Stewart’s size won’t be for everyone, but he is an energetic athlete whose combination of twitchy get-off, crafty hands and relentless finish can make him a pass-rush factor from day one. His talent suggests he can be more than a pass-rush specialist in the NFL.

Josaiah Stewart’s path to becoming a notable edge rusher is somewhat unconventional. Despite not playing varsity football until his junior year of high school, he made an immediate impact at Coastal Carolina, leading the Sun Belt in sacks as a freshman while playing the “Bandit” position.

After transferring to Ann Arbor for his final two seasons, he continued to excel, leading the Michigan Wolverines in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles as a senior. At Michigan, where he was a one-year starter, Stewart lined up as a wide edge rusher (two- and three-point stance) in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s four-man front.

Stewart is an explosive pass rusher, demonstrating impressive arc acceleration and flexibility to win on the high side. His speed-to-power and bull rushes are particularly effective when he has some space to build momentum. In the run game, he plays with a physicality that belies his size. However, he may struggle to disengage when blockers are able to establish a firm hold on him.

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