NFL teams are always looking for athletic and explosive defensive linemen to get after opposing quarterbacks.
The Indianapolis Colts found that when they drafted defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While many expected the athletic freak out of Northwestern to be taken in the second round, Adebawore fell to the fourth, where the Colts scooped him up with the No.110 pick.
The final piece to the puzzle was getting Adebawore signed to his rookie deal. That came to fruition on Wednesday as the team announced Adebawore had been signed to a four-year contract.
In four seasons at Northwestern, Adebawore tallied 97 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. While Adebawore did not have much communication with the Colts before the draft, he was happy to be heading to Indianapolis.
"I’ve only met with some of (the Colts) scouts through the Senior Bowl and the (NFL) Combine," Adebawore said after he was drafted. "So, I’ve known a few of those scouts throughout this whole process and they seemed to always have that interest in me. So, I’m really excited to be a part of their team.”
Adebawore was described as an athletic freak throughout the draft cycle. He had one of the best performances at the NFL Scouting Combine out of any player. At 282 pounds, Adebawore ran a 4.49 40-yard dash with a 37.5-inch vertical and a 10'5" broad jump. A man that big should not be that fast and explosive.
Adebawore has experience playing up and down the defensive line at Northwestern. The Colts like players who can play inside and out as they get their best pass rushers on the field. Players like Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis have been valuable in Indy due to their position versatility.
The Colts believe Adebawore can be another player in that category. While the Colts have Adebawore listed as a defensive end on their official roster, it seems like inside at defensive tackle is where Adebawore could see much of his playing time.
"I knew teams obviously have film on me as a defensive end and a defensive tackle," he explained. "It’s kind of evident that teams were seeing me more inside at the Senior Bowl because I played a lot inside and I think teams kind of saw me in this league, as a 3-technique."
Wherever Adebawore lines up on the defensive line, the Colts hope he can use his athleticism and explosiveness to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Adebawore marks the ninth Colts draft pick to agree to his rookie deal. The only rookies unsigned are quarterback Anthony Richardson, cornerback JuJu Brents, and offensive tackle Blake Freeland.
With OTAs underway, the rest of the Colts' 2023 rookie class should have their deals wrapped up sooner rather than later.
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