ITH 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore
Player Information:
Name: Adetomiwa Adebawore
School: Northwestern
Position: DL/DT
Jersey #: 99
Height/Weight: 6’2’’ 280
Alignment/Scheme: Strong Side Defensive End, 3 Tech
Games Watched: Vs Duke, vs Miami(OH), vs Illinois, vs Maryland, vs Nebraska
Major Factors: # Notes:
Grading Scale: 9 - Special 8 - All-Pro 7.5 - Pro Bowler 7 - Good Starter 6.5 - Avg. Starter 6 - Good Backup 5.5 - Role Player 5 - Developmental
Athletic Ability: 6.5 Adebawore is a tough, physical player that goes the extra mile each play to do his job. He isn’t athletically gifted, but he makes up for it in his assignments. Against longer, larger players, he typically can get absorbed.
Strength & Explosion: 6.5 His stature is low to the ground compared to his matchups. At 280 lbs, he is the average weight for an NFL DE, but in the Big 10 against larger offensive lineman, he often would be at the disadvantage in straight pass rush. His strength is in run support on stunts.
Competes: 7 Very competitive. Will chase down a play from the backside and work to get to the perimeter on screen game or outside run.
Production: 5 5.0 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, and 38 total tackles in 2022. Led the team in sacks.
Mental/Learning: 7 4 Year contributor at Northwestern that improved in every statistical category year to year.
Injury History: ? Unknown
Player Summary:
Report: Adetomiwa Adebawore on paper is the prototype defensive end in the NFL, however, once you turn on the tape, you get more dimension in his game. Adebawore is not the traditional NFL pass rusher that can rush from a multitude of positions. Adebawore is a high-motor end that is extremely compact in his playstyle. Against larger Tackles, Adebawore is often at disadvantage due to his lack of relative length, but because of his low center of gravity, he can keep a constant push. Since he is compact and strong, he is also able to play from the interior as well.
Strengths: His first step is elite and he uses his intensity to get on larger offensive lineman quickly. Laterally, Adebawore is solid and is able to turn his shoulders to get into gaps rather quickly. He uses his hands very well despite his arm length not being exceptional. He does not get pushed off the spot easily, but he does not command a double team from the inside either. I would categorize Adebawore as a true two-down defensive end because of his true run-support ability. Although he is able to rush the passer, his true strength is in the run game.
Weakness: Size. At 6’2 and 280 lbs, Adebawore is not a speed rusher. Against NFL offensive tackles, he will likely get lost in a straight rush. He will benefit from movement and stunts. Contain is a concern with Adebawore because he does not change direction extremely well. On the edge, Adebawore does not change direction exceptionally well either, but he has a motor.
Adebawore has the skill set of a player like Brandon Graham. He can develop into this type of player with development. If he can improve his pass rush tool belt, Adebawore will be a household name in the NFL.
Pro Comparison: Brandon Graham
Round/Grade: 3rd-4th Round
ITH Writer/COO
-By: LeMarkus Bailey