The Green Bay Packers meet with a top pass rusher
The Green Bay Packers are coming into the 2023 NFL Draft with several glaring needs, and they’re planning to meet with a player that could fill one of them this offseason. The Packers’ most significant needs are at pass-catching and pass-rushing positions. They’re projected to land a tight end in the first round of this year’s draft. But another pass rusher in high demand could be had in the second round.
According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, the Green Bay Packers will meet with Northwestern EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore on Friday. He’s been catching NFL scouts and front office’s attention since his outstanding performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Northwestern edge Adetomiwa Adebawore — who tore up last month's combine with a 4.49 40, 37.5-inch vertical and 10-5 broad jump at 6-2 and 282 pounds — is visiting the #Seahawks today and the #Packers on Friday, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 12, 2023
According to Aaron Wilson with KPRC, Adebawore has met with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears this offseason.
Northwestern @NUFBFamily defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore visited #Buccaneers visited #Bears, #Falcons, worked out for #Saints. Met with #Bears, #Lions and #Rams privately around his Pro Day. @KPRC2https://t.co/0cJEpi8okF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 12, 2023
Bears analysts seem to love him
Adebawore is a favorite defensive line option for The Atheltic Bears beat writer Kevin Fishbain. Fishbain has had the Bears taking Adebawore in a couple of mock drafts. His latest mock draft has the Bears taking him at 53 overall:
“You may remember Adebawore from such mock drafts as Bears mock draft 1.0, when he was my fourth-round pick. His pro-day performance last week continued his sensational pre-draft circuit, which began at the Senior Bowl, when he showed off his quickness in practices during the week. Then he had a historic combine and wasn’t done, doing the bench press again.
he only limitation for Adebawore from his athletic profile is his height. He’s only 6-foot-1 5/8, but the absurd speed and explosion numbers cannot be ignored.
So, what about his college production? Well, he was on a terrible defense the past two seasons. He also spent a lot of time at defensive end — he would slide inside on third down. Northwestern’s game against Ohio State is a good example. He had only two tackles on the stat sheet but was often in the backfield.”
The six-foot-two, 280-pound disrupter would be the perfect fit for the Bears’ needed three-technique. But the Packers have a chance to nab the versatile defender before their rival–if Adebawore goes into the second round. The Bears don’t pick in the second round until 53. The Packers, who draft at 45th overall, would pick before them in the second round, and the Lions, who have the 48th overall selection.
