2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Adetomiwa Adebawore (DL – Northwestern)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Adetomiwa Adebawore.

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Adetomiwa Adebawore (DL – Northwestern)

6’2” – 280 lbs.

Background:

Three-star recruit who rotated in for 193 snaps as a freshman (two starts) before stepping into a full-time starting role the next year and going 17-6.0-2.0 in the shortened season. Followed that up with 36-8.5-4.5 as a junior and a similar senior year of 38-9.0-5.0.

Positives:

Thickly-built three-year starter. Typically plays as a defensive end on the team’s even fronts, but will occasionally kick inside to tackle. Plays the game with toughness and urgency. Impressive reaction times to the ball being snapped. Fires out low and with some explosiveness. Contact balance is very good. Gets good extension to lock out opponents and read the play. Has very heavy hands to discard blockers. Some ability to anticipate play direction in the run game and create disruption. Flashes the ability to make tackles while engaged. Functional strength looks good even when he’s playing inside. Disciplined when playing on the backside. Works hard to pursue ball carriers in space. Shows the ability to chain together different moves as a pass-rusher. Pretty good leg drive on his bull rush to generate movement. Can be a handful when he works his inside move, dipping his shoulder and working his way into the backfield. Has made some limited drops into zone coverage.

Negatives:

Sort of a positional ‘tweener who’s thicker than your typical end but smaller than your typical tackle; may need to either add or cut weight as a pro. Height is on the lower end of what teams look for, so official measurements may be important. Not the quickest or most sudden/explosive defensive end. Gap integrity in the run game can leave something to be desired. Some rushes take him too far upfield to play the run effectively. Could be more consistent about keeping his shoulders square to the line. Overall range is limited by adequate athleticism. Doesn’t bend the tightest arc back to the passer; not a major threat to win the outside with his first step. May not have much appeal to odd defensive fronts.

Summary:

Impressive functional strength should allow him to contribute as a pro sooner rather than later. Although, his draft stock may be impacted by his lack of ideal physical characteristics for most positions as a pro, lacking the ideal length/athleticism for the edge and size for a three- or five-technique end. However, his interesting skillset could make him an appealing prospect to teams that like jumbo ends or have a clear role in mind for him.

Projection: Round 4