The Indianapolis Colts love drafting prospects with elite athleticism, and that trend continued with the fourth-round selection of Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore.
Making this selection with the fourth-round pick the Colts received in the Day 2 trade with the Atlanta Falcons, Indy is getting an extremely versatile and athletic pass rusher.
Adebawore posted the same 40-yard dash time (4.49) as wide receiver Jordan Addison despite being over 100 pounds heavier.
Here’s our instant analysis of the pick:
How this pick helps the Colts
Pass rush. Pass rush. Pass rush. A team can never have too many pass rushers. That becomes even more true when considering a team can never have too many freaky pass rushers. Adebawore is still developing as a pass rusher, but he has insane upside as a three-technique. He’s a nice depth option to have in the middle of the defensive line.
What this pick means for the defense
Gus Bradley’s attacking front should have no shortage of pass rushers, and that’s exactly what Adebawore can provide. While he has a ways to go in terms of becoming a true pass rusher with a plan, he has untapped potential as a three-technique. He can provide competition for Taven Bryan, who was signed in free agency. This pick certainly helps beef up the depth in the trenches.
How he will be used
While Adebawore played mostly on the edge for Northwestern, he occasionally kicked inside to the three-technique. That’s where he can thrive with the Colts, and that’s where his ceiling can be reached. Adebawore has insane burst, acceleration to go along with length and solid short-area quickness. He can become a major threat from the three-technique.
Scouting Report
Here’s a scouting report on Adebawore from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, who gave him a Round 2-3 grade:
Adebawore seems like a positional tweener, checking in a little short for the edge and a little light for the interior. However, he was able to handle himself at the point of attack at the Senior Bowl and is just a few hearty meals away from checking in at a weight that could pass for an even front three-technique. He’s a powerful man who wins with force over fluidity. He will need better play recognition in the future, but his explosive first contact and ability to play under his opponent’s pads could earn him a spot as a base end with sub-package rush ability or simply as a rotational interior defender.
Quick grade
This pick is all about traits and upside, which is what Day 3 should be about. Adebawore still has a road of development ahead when it comes to the finer points of pass rushing with a plan, but his freaky athleticism and likely switch to the interior gives him an incredibly high ceiling. It’s up to him and the coaches to get there.
Grade: B
