Adetomiwa Adebawore Earns First-Round Grade

Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore pass rushed his way right into my heart.

He has a John Randle kind of motor and he is extremely quarterback minded.

There is no quit in the super athletic and active Adebawore.

On every single play, he is coming whether it is a run or a pass.

My kind of guy.

Adebawore is quick off the ball

One of the things that jumped off his game film was his quick get-off as it’s called.

He fires into blockers like he was shot out of a cannon.

Whoever is assigned to block him (or try to) better pack their lunch and be on their game.

Bull rush power

Adebawore lines up in a four-point stance, and he is a lot to handle at the point of attack.

Time after time, he showed he can bull rush with authority due to his strength and good hand usage.

He has a big bubble and a lot of pure power that comes from his strong lower body and his legs.

Street fighter

This is what pushes Adebawore over the top.

It additionally gets him in a position to make plays.

He just keeps battling until he gets into position to do something.

Adebawore is a mean and violent defender.

Adebawore is a complete defensive lineman

This is another impressive part of his game.

He gives equal effort and he is just as impressive against the run as he is when rushing the passer.

An entire column in my run notes was filled up with positive remarks about Adebawore against the run.

Hard-wrapping form tackles are his thing.

Versatility

Adebawore showed he can play on the edge, as well as play inside at defensive tackle where he can overpower guards and slip through gaps into the pocket.

Northwestern moved him back and forth from side to side on the edge.

He also lined up standing up once. He even dropped into coverage a few times and looked pretty good doing it.

I could see him as a 4-3 (four down defensive lineman and three linebackers) or an end in a 3-4 (three down defensive linemen and four linebackers). I could also see him as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.

The guy is just a pure football player.

Disruption is the name of the game in the NFL

In today’s pass-happy league, it’s all about getting to the quarterback and being able to cover.

Pass rushers who can generate consistent pressure and/or sacks are at a premium.

This is why Adebawore isn’t getting out of the first round.

#99 Adetomiwa Adebawore 6-foot-2, 280 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 0.6% of the NFL Draft Community as a first-round pick as of November 29, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Michigan State and Rutgers (click to view games viewed to form this evaluation)

2022 game film reviewed: Nebraska

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 36 tackles (25 solo, 11 assists), 4.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles

2022 stats: 38 tackles (27 solo, 11 assists), 5.0 sacks (27 pressures in 9 games per Pro Football Focus), 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

A versatile and powerful defender with a high motor. Relentless. Gets off the snap and gets into blockers quickly. Good technique. Creates movement at the point or can slip into gaps to create pressure. Good playing speed, but lacks short-area burst and does have slight tightness that shows up when attempting to make quick adjustments in the pocket. Does what he can to cause disruption and throws up his hands in throwing lanes. Raw and lacks polish as a pass rusher. Generates more pressure than sacks. Flashed spin and swim moves and looked good running stunts inside. He was so fast against Rutgers, he blew up the handoff against the run. Chased a Nebraska back all the way downfield. Hard solid tackler. Fights through blockers and is productive in the run game. Can show questionable instincts and lose track of where the ball is or who has it. Difference maker.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Final pass rush numbers?
2. Does he show burst into the pocket?
3. Does he show he can make quick adjustments when closing?
4. Pass rush moves?

I walked away impressed.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.