Adetomiwa Adebawore—A Poor Man's Dwight Freeney or Poor Man's Aaron Donald?

 By John Turney 

Adetomiwa Adebawore was taken in the 2022 NFL draft in the fourth round, a couple of rounds later than many had projected. 

Predraft he was known as somewhat of a physical freak. According to NFL.com, he was given a 9.7 (out of 10) in relative athletic score -  stemming from his 4.49 forty-yard dash time which was in the 99th percentile of all players tested at the NFL combine at his position (since 2000). He was in the 80-90th percentiles in several other categories.

He was listed as a defensive tackle which accounts for how high he ranked - had he been compared to edge players he would not have been quite as high but either way he's an impressive athlete.

Measuring 6-2, 280 pounds at the combine, he was shorter than most defensive linemen and less than ideal for the NFL, either as a defensive tackle or end. It begs the question of where he will play on the NFL level—tackle or end. he's played both in college.

On the NFL Network, when Adebawore was taken Daniel Jeremiah said, ". . . plays on the edges, plays on the inside . . ." among some other things.

He did not have the college production and tape of Dwight Freeney or Aaron Donald, two players with similar physical characteristics but matched with them in physical qualities (PQs).

Donald was an inch shorter but about the same weight. He ran a 4.68 and it was considered amazing (was a then-combine record for a defensive tackle) and his other measurables were also excellent and in the same range as Adebawore's. He also had a relative athletic score of 9.7, the same as the Northwestern prospect.

Going back to a player taken by the Colts - Dwight Freeney - he also was somewhat similar to Adebawore's build in PQs.

Freeney, though, was a defensive end and was shorter (6-1) and lighter (266) but it was relatively close.  Their forty times were similar with Freeney running a 4.39 compared to Adebawore's 4.49 as were their performances in the bench press. Freeney did 28 reps of the 225-lb bench press, Adebawore 27. 

Freeney didn't participate in all of the drills so there is no way to know what else compares but it is probable that they would have been in the same range.

But what we know is that overall Adebawore is short (for his position) and light for his position if he plays inside, not so much if he plays on the edge and is roughly similar to a couple of dominant players in size and athleticism.

In either case, though he's a PQs outlier and like Freeney and Donald (and others like Elvis Dumervil) will have to carve out a niche and once again bear the burden of having to prove a shorter player can play well in the NFL, that not being a 6-3 to 6-5 defensive linemen as is not a sure mark of failure.

So, where will the Colts play Adebawore? Inside like Donald? Outside like Freeney?

Both?

Jeremiah said during the NFL.com telecast that "He plays hard and he plays physical." 

Time will tell what he evolves into ultimately but if we were to guess the answer would be that he plays both to start. He will be used as a nickel rusher and split time inside and outside until he shows that he is more adept in one spot on the defensive line or the other, inside or outside.

But gun to head? Would say he's a three-technique in the NFL when dust settles.

After that he will likely settle into that spot and make his mark as an NFL player so, of course, he won't be a clone of either one.

We know one thing, it's been proven a guy lacking in height can make it in the NFL as either an end or tackle. Adebawore is one to keep an eye on to see if he can get it done somewhat like a Freeney or Donald the Colts will be happy.