The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Adetomiwa Adebawore 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Adetomiwa Adebawore Background
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Northwestern
Size: 6-foot-2, 282 pounds
Class: Senior
2022 Stats: 38 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 pass defended
Although he didn’t receive much hype during his college career, Adebawore has moved his way up draft boards over the last few months. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a three-star high school recruit, Adebawore signed with Northwestern. He played sparingly as a freshman with six total tackles and a sack. His role increased in his second season, as he had 17 total tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks. He started all 12 games as a junior, tallying 36 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. The Wildcats struggled to a 3-9 record that season. In 2022, Adebawore had 38 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. While he saw more success, the Wildcats continued to struggle and had a 1-11 record.
Following four years at Northwestern, Adebawore entered the 2023 NFL Draft. He is a projected first or second-round pick.
There may not be a player who has a better blend of size and athleticism in the entire draft. He weighs in at 280 pounds, but has the athleticism of someone much smaller. Adebawore tested well at the NFL Combine, including running a 4.49 40-yard dash. That explosive athleticism shows up on tape as well, as he is quick and has solid flexibility.
He has plenty of versatility to offer an NFL team. Adebawore can line up on the edge and be successful due to his athleticism. He also has lined up on the interior, because he is a bigger edge rusher. NFL defensive coordinators can move him around and even use him as an interior rusher in passing situations.
His motor is always running, which helps him reach his full potential. He gets a decent amount of production by having good second effort, even when his initial pass rush is stopped. Adebawore also shows good pursuit and can chase down ball carriers even if it is far from his starting point on the defensive line.
While his versatility is a strength, he could also be seen as a tweener without a true position. Defensive coordinators who know how to use him may not have issues though. He could be too light for the interior and didn’t have the best pass rushing stats from the edge throughout his collegiate career.
Adebawore can sometimes struggle to diagnose plays. He can be late to find the football against the run. Adebawore also bites on play action and misdirection plays. His ability to read blocking schemes will also need to be improved.
His flexibility isn’t the greatest, as he has tight hips. This will inhibit his chances of bending around the edge and beating offensive tackles as a pass rusher. He struggles going up against tackles with good length and that flexibility would help him shed blocks better.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second-Round Pick
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