Adetomiwa Adebawore 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Two-year starter for the Wildcats defense entering 2022

• Logged 14.5 tackles for loss over the course of the last two seasons
• Chose Northwestern over interest from all three service academies

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Even front defense, middle of the field open, zone
• 2022 projected role: Starting EDGE defender

Pros: Length and a stout frame are quick to catch your attention—if you’re keen on playing in a gap-control system, Adetomiwa Adebawore has some things that may catch your interest. I really like how stout he can play stacking blocks. He is not going to collapse and push with overwhelming wash, but you can see him holding and anchoring the point with some effectiveness, especially in comparison to some of his other teammates in the front. But it isn’t just the fact that he can anchor; I saw a lot of really good interior disruption reps on the three games I studied, whether he’s crashing down inside into the B-gap from his end position or in the instances in which Northwestern got into subpackage groups and charged him with rushing as a 3-technique. His first-step quickness in these instances caught me off guard and leaves him with some passing down value as well. He is quick to get his hands up and occupy passing lanes when he’s stifled early in his rushes—he batted two passes against Duke in this fashion. Adebawore offers a hot motor, too. Played just as hard down 20 as he did in a tie game.

Cons: I do think consistency is going to be an area where Adetomiwa Adebawore needs to showcase himself better moving forward. There were some instances where he peeked into the backfield and surrendered his leverage at the point, which resulted in losing ground and being pushed off the ball or sealed inside. Additionally, I thought his ability to navigate the backfield left some plays on the field. Quick penetration put him in a position to really wreck plays via blowing up blocking schemes or making a play on the ball carrier, but too often he did neither and didn’t finish the play—would love to see him develop more of a killer instinct in this regard in 2022. Adebawore isn’t the most fluid athlete. He’s densely built and therefore tight corners will test his functional athleticism. Consider him a linear athlete and plan accordingly with his role and reps.

Adetomiwa Adebawore NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs