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Where South Carolina's Dylan Stewart sits on Mel Kiper Jr. 2027 NFL Draft big board

The Gamecock EDGE rusher has been playing lights out in his last two games.
ByMorgan Moriarty
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Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Dylan Stewart (6) brings down South Carolina State Bulldogs running back KZ Adams (17) in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Dylan Stewart (6) brings down South Carolina State Bulldogs running back KZ Adams (17) in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 2027 NFL Draft may be still just under six months away. But it is truly never too early to start looking ahead to what it might look like come next April. 

One of the biggest names in next year's draft is star South Carolina EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart. Although the junior from Washington, D.C. has had a quieter start to the season, he has found his groove the last two weeks. 

In wins over Florida and Tennessee, Stewart has combined for two sacks including three forced fumbles. This week, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. released his updated big board for 2027, which includes Stewart. 

Let's take a look at where he checked in. 

Where Dylan Stewart sits in latest Mel Kiper Jr. big board

Kiper puts Stewart as the No. 9 overall prospect for 2027. He sits just one spot behind Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker and one in front of Notre Dame starting quarterback CJ Carr.

Here's what Kiper writes on the South Carolina star defensive player: 

When he is playing, you can tell pretty quickly. His traits jump off the tape. It's just a matter of whether the production can catch up; Stewart has 13 career sacks over three seasons despite recording 81 pressures over those 28 games.

Stewart can vary his path to the QB, and he closes quickly with speed to power. He also has the big frame to hold the point and shed blockers against the run. The pass-rush ability is there, but he needs to figure out how to translate his physical traits into stat-sheet production on a more consistent basis.

Kiper Jr.'s analysis starts out by describing Stewart's slow start to the 2026 season. He missed the first two games against Kent State and Towson, and was quiet in South Carolina's SEC opener against Mississippi State, having to come off the field for the entire fourth quarter. 

He was then suspended after the Alabama game after throwing a punch towards Tide tight end Josh Ford. After he made his return in the Gamecocks' game on the road against Florida, he has been a force. In his last two games he has combined for seven total tackles, and has been consistently disruptive in getting pressure on the quarterback. 

He is playing much like the Stewart we saw the last two seasons, where he combined for 56 total stops, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. His strip-sack of Tennessee's George MacIntyre helped South Carolina get the ball back and kick a game-sealing field goal:

As South Carolina continues through the season with games remaining against Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Arkansas Georgia and Clemson, he should play even stronger. Since this is expected to be Stewart's final season in Columbia, he could finish out with some of his best games yet. 

In fact, so far this season, he was graded as the best SEC defensive lineman per Pro Football Focus:

Kiper has Stewart as the No. 2 overall EDGE rusher for 2027, one spot behind Texas' Colin Simmons.  

The 2027 NFL Draft will take place live from Washington D.C. from April 29-May 1. 

ALSO READ: How South Carolina can beat Oklahoma on Saturday for a third-straight win

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