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Josh Stewart entered the 2014 NFL Draft looking to not only prove to himself and his fans that he belonged in the NFL, but that he needed to provide for his young son in the best way he knows how. Football. Regarded as one of the best, if not the best, receiver in the entire Big 12, it came as a shock to Oklahoma State fans and even other Big 12 schools fans that the prolific Stewart was not taken at all. Stewart was a headache to Big 12 defensive coordinators, and I think that he could become a headache to some NFL defenses.
Stewart grabbed 2208 receiving yards in his three years at Oklahoma State on 180 catches. That was on average, over 12 yards per catch. So in theory, that is 180 first downs that he provided the Cowboys while donning the "Brightest Orange." And then there are the scoring plays. Stewart scored 12 receiving touchdowns over his three years. Obviously though those weren't the only times that the versatile Stewart scored. Stewart was able to score off of "Jet Sweeps" in the running game, and punt returns. Stewart accrued three more touchdowns that way, while in Stillwater. Stewart's versatility will help him immensely at the next level, in trying to make a team.
Stewart is now a member of the Tennessee Titans, a team that has had issue at quarterback, and for that matter receiver. Jake Locker has struggled at times since coming in the league in 2011. With those struggles in mind, the Titans drafted former LSU Tiger, Zach Mettenberger in the 6th round. Mettenberger was regarded by some scouts as having the best arm in the entire draft, which could prove beneficial for the vertical threat Stewart if he makes the active squad. There is a lot of depth at receiver in Nashville, but the quality of depth isn't as strong as the organization would like. After the first four receivers on the roster, which contain NFL veterans Nate Washington, Dexter McCluster, and former Baylor standout Kendall Wright, along with Justin Hunter who will be going into his second NFL season in 2014. After that, I see Stewart being just fine and should be able to finish ahead of the competition. That would put him as the fifth or sixth receiver on the roster, which on most teams would mean that he would be a part of the active roster. I could even see the rookie Stewart move ahead of McCluster due to size and the ability to allow McCluster to specialize in the return game.
Josh Stewart will make it in the NFL. He is too versatile and too much of a big play threat to not make it in some way. He should make the active roster in Tennessee, and Stewart will likely see some playing time in his rookie season. He will get more touches though, as he shows his coaches that he can perform like most in Stillwater know he already can do.