Top-10 Buzz: Dylan Stewart’s Draft Stock Holds Steady After His Return
With South Carolina on a mid-October bye week, the 2027 NFL Draft in Washington, D.C. is roughly six months away, and edge rusher Dylan Stewart is showing up in the top ten of the latest mock drafts. The source says his recent suspension doesn’t appear to have hurt his stock much.
The Florida Game That Reset the Conversation
Stewart’s performance against Florida was his first game back after a suspension for punching Alabama’s Josh Ford. The source says he finally looked like his old dominant self, finishing with:
- Five total tackles, four of them solo
- A sack
- Two forced fumbles
Analysis: After questions about how the suspension might affect his draft outlook, a full-impact return game answered them on the field. Evaluators care about football production, and he delivered in his first chance.
Three Mocks, Three Top-10 Landing Spots
Bleacher Report (Brent Sobleski): No. 6 to the Arizona Cardinals. Sobleski acknowledges Arizona may consider a quarterback in the top ten, but says Stewart “provides an elite talent at a different premium position.” The edge rusher would join a defense that includes Josh Sweat and Darius Robinson.
Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer): No. 7 to the New Orleans Saints. Iyer writes:
“The Saints need to keep working on improving their pass rush for Brandon Staley. Stewart brings that physicality and power outside they have coveted for a long time in 6-4, 287-pounder Cameron Jordan.”
Pro Football Focus (Gordon McGuinness): No. 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the lowest of the three, but still inside the top ten. McGuinness notes that the Eagles appear likely to target an offensive lineman after the Cam Jurgens trade and Lane Johnson’s retirement, yet a top defensive prospect falling to them “seems entirely plausible.”
Why Philadelphia May Be the Most Intriguing Fit
The source calls the Eagles landing spot potentially the most interesting. Stewart would join a loaded front that already features:
- Jalen Carter
- Nose tackle Jordan Davis
- Linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Zach Baun
Analysis: The three fits tell different stories. Arizona is a talent-first pick at a premium position, New Orleans is a need-based pairing around an aging star, and Philadelphia would be a luxury addition to an already strong group.
What the Mocks Have in Common
- A tight range: The three outlets place him between No. 6 and No. 10.
- A shared positional argument: Each writer treats edge rusher as a premium position worth top-ten capital.
- Flexibility: Quarterback and offensive line needs could shift the order, as both Sobleski and McGuinness acknowledge.
What It Means for South Carolina
For the Gamecocks, the draft talk is a reminder of how much Stewart’s presence affects the defense. His return coincided with a big win over Florida, and the mock draft attention suggests the NFL sees the same impact.
Analysis: The remaining schedule gives him a chance to improve his standing. A strong finish could do more for his draft position than any mock projection.
Key Takeaways
- Top-10 projection: Three outlets have Stewart going between No. 6 and No. 10.
- Suspension impact looks limited based on these mocks.
- Florida performance mattered: five tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles.
- Upside remains: The source says continued strong play could move him even higher.
Conclusion
Stewart’s stock appears intact, and the Florida game gave evaluators the kind of tape they wanted to see. If he repeats that performance over the final stretch, the debate may shift from whether he’s a top-10 pick to how high he can go.
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