INDIANAPOLIS – In one draft, the Colts selected two guys that are now the biggest offensive and defensive players on the roster.
Fourth-round pick Grover Stewart stands 6-5 and weighs in at 347 pounds.
At that size, Stewart has to be a nose tackle, right?
Not so fast says southeast area scout Jamie Moore.
"He's not a two-down guy," Moore says, referencing Stewart's 27.0 sacks at Albany State. "Once he acclimates himself he has some versatility.
"He can pierce the pocket. He's got power, speed, strength. He's a rare-looking human being. Think Denzelle Good (who is listed at 6-5 and 355 pounds) on the defensive line. When you walk up on (Stewart), he's a unique guy."
Similar to Zach Banner on offense, the Colts do not need immediate contributions from their trench rookies.
Three defensive linemen came over in free agency. The Colts also have Henry Anderson and Kendall Langford returning to full health.
Nonetheless, Stewart brings a body type that is not seen very often.
Trying to project Stewart to the professional game can be difficult given his level of competition at Division II Albany State.
But the Colts did like what they saw at the NFLPA All-Star Game this past January.
"I thought he was the best defensive lineman there," Chris Ballard said after selecting Stewart with the final pick of Round Four. "For a big man, he can move. He can get off the ball. He's got strength. We think there's a lot of upside, and we think he can play three different spots.
"We believe in him and we have conviction that he's going to turn into a player."
It was that same all-star game where Stewart showed himself he could play at a higher level.
"Coming from the D-II, and playing in the bowl game I thought it was going to be a big change then," Stewart said. "I was looking at everybody like, 'You're from D-I, you should be good or whatever.' But I put on my pads, lined up against them and did what I had to do. I don't see any difference between it. I'm going to play like I play and dominate like I always do."
Grover Stewart - Round Four - Pick 144 - Defense Tackle - Albany State (GA)
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