Jets cannot allow Dylan Stewart's talent to force a disastrous 2027 draft move

That whole thing about “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent” isn’t necessarily true, at least in professional sports.

Frankly, teams talking themselves into adding a problematic prospect based solely on talent is the greater tragedy, especially for rebuilding organizations. So if and when the New York Jets have a chance to draft South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart next spring, I personally advise they stay far away.

The Jet Press colleague Mike Luciano and I respectfully disagree on Stewart’s draftability, and that didn’t change in his most recent three-round mock. Luciano suggested the Jets “take a swing” on the explosive defensive weapon at No. 9 despite the explosive defensive weapon’s recent team-issued suspension. 

“Stewart has unique movement skills, and a lackluster pass rush outside of David Bailey could land a meteoric talent who has 10-year starter potential,” Luciano wrote.

New York Jets cannot take edge Dylan Stewart in 2027 NFL Draft

If it sounds like we’re being overly harsh on a 21-year-old football player, then you’re unfamiliar with Stewart’s history. To give you an idea of who we’re talking about, let’s take a look at his history since enrolling at South Carolina in 2024:

• Officials penalized Stewart twice during a 27-3 loss to Ole Miss in 2024. Both instances involved him pretending to repeatedly shoot the opposing player with a shotgun. 

• Stewart was ejected in last year’s loss to Vanderbilt for shoving Commodores offensive tackle Bryce Henderson in front of an official. 

• South Carolina suspended Stewart indefinitely earlier this season after a heated sideline argument with Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer that went viral. He’d previously been called for roughing the passer and, when coaches tried to sub him out, pushed teammate Julian Walker away. 

• Stewart punched Alabama tight end Josh Ford’s helmet that night, and the latter alleged he’d been punched three times during the game. Officials did not eject the Gamecocks’ star pass-rusher.

South Carolina reinstated Stewart following a one-game suspension, and he remains with the program. Why hold players accountable if they give you a better chance to win? Never mind that the Gamecocks are 1-3 in SEC play and at risk of missing a bowl game for the third time in four years.

With everything that’s gone wrong for the Jets over the past 15 years, why would you want Stewart in your organization? He’s clearly learned nothing despite the various punishments that have impacted both him and the Gamecocks. A player’s potential means nothing if they’re at risk of being ejected or suspended, and his talent is the only thing keeping him on South Carolina’s roster.

Beamer and the Gamecocks’ administration deserve significant pushback, too. They’re enabling Stewart to act out and live life without consequences, which never bodes well for NFL-bound prospects. Stewart is a ticking time bomb, and we have a strong sense that whoever drafts him will learn that firsthand. 

The Jets have enough problems and holes to address next spring, and that doesn’t even factor in a possible coaching change. We understand the appeal of drafting Stewart, but let him be someone else’s burden.

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