NFL Draft: Eagles ‘absolutely love’ Northwestern’s top EDGE prospect
With two picks in the first-round of the upcoming NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles should be one of the most active teams come draft night.
At 10th overall and 30th overall, a ton of players have been tossed in the hat of potential targets for Howie Roseman. If you’ve followed Roseman’s draft philosophy and general team building strategy over the years, you’ll know that outside of quarterback, the Eagles’ top priority is fortifying their trenches.
That probably won’t change once April 27 rolls around, even though seemingly all of Eagles Twitter is clamoring for Texas RB Bijan Robinson.
If the Eagles stick to their guns during the first-round, one name to keep an eye on is Northwestern pass rusher Adetomiwa Adebawore. On a recent episode of Pro Football Network Football Insiders hosted by Trey Wingo and Brett Yarris, Tony Pauline pointed to Northwestern’s edge rusher as a potential target for the Eagles.
Pauline on the Eagles’ interest in Adebawore
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“I’m told that Howie Roseman absolutely loves the guy,” Pauline said.
Adebawore is considered to be a late first, early second-round prospect, placing him right in the Eagles’ wheelhouse at 30th overall. It’s not hard to see why Roseman loves Adebawore. The Northwestern pass rusher stands at 6-foot-2, 282 pounds and has the versatility to play outside the tackle or in the three-tech along the interior. Last season, Adebawore logged 261 snaps in the three-tech and 374 outside the tackle.
He’s one of the best athletes at the EDGE position entering this year’s class as well, something Roseman always puts a lot of stock into. Adebawore’s athleticism was on full display at this year’s scouting combine.
His official 40 time of 4.49 seconds, along with his 1.61 10-yard split, are some of the fastest times you’ll see from a guy weighing in at 282 pounds. For reference, last year’s No. 1 overall selection, Travon Walker, ran a slower 40-yard dash and 10-yard split while weighing 10 pounds less than Adebawore.
Adebawore wasn’t overly productive during his time at Northwestern, tallying just 13 sacks in three collegiate seasons. Nevertheless, Howie tends to value physical traits and versatility over production when scouting draft targets. Adebawore more than fits the bill there.
Even if the Eagles don’t end day one with Adebawore in midnight green, expect the front office to walk away with at least one lineman come draft night.
>> Read More: NFL Rumors: Eagles named as a potential landing spot for Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker
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