The Rams’ blockbuster move for Myles Garrett didn’t just reshape the top of their defense. It may have quietly set up a much smaller name to cash in, too.
Los Angeles sent Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to the Cleveland Browns to land Garrett, and the ripple effects go beyond the headline. With Garrett now lined up next to Byron Young, the Rams suddenly have what looks like the NFL’s best pass-rushing duo. But the benefits may extend deeper into the rotation.
ESPN’s Ben Solak pointed to 2025 third-round pick Josaiah Stewart as a breakout candidate for 2026, and the logic runs through Garrett’s arrival. Stewart, a former Michigan edge rusher, already has a profile that fits what Chris Shula wants to do on defense.
"Stewart is a subpackage player with legitimate drop ability, so Shula likes him on blitzing downs as a Swiss Army Knife," Solak notes.
That versatility matters. Stewart may be listed as an edge rusher, but he can also drop into coverage when needed, giving Shula another piece to move around on passing downs. With Garrett in the mix, though, Stewart’s path could get even clearer.
"This is particularly important now that Verse has been swapped for Garrett, who figures to kick inside more often (given his superior size) in subpackage looks," Solak writes. "That opens the door for more wide alignments for Stewart, who can carve out a role as a late-game closer."
That setup gives the Rams a lot of options. Garrett can slide inside in subpackage looks, potentially taking snaps from Braden Fisk or Kobie Turner, while Stewart works off the edge in wider alignments. Put that together with Young, Fiske, Turner, and Poona Ford on the defensive line, and the front has the ingredients to keep serious heat on quarterbacks.
Stewart, the 90th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, appeared in all 17 games last season and finished with 3.0 sacks and three tackles for loss in a limited role.
He already had a chance to emerge as a breakout candidate. Now, with Garrett changing the shape of the Rams’ front, Stewart may have an even better shot to turn that rotational role into something bigger in 2026.
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