The Philadelphia Eagles hold a pair of first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, putting them in an excellent position to add impact talent on both sides of the ball. While general manager Howie Roseman is known for surprises, there are some early signs of what he may do on draft night.
Philadelphia acquired the 10th overall pick from the New Orleans Saints in a trade made last year. It gives the Eagles the 10th and 30th overall picks in a draft class that the NFL is relatively high on. With the reigning NFC champions only having a few needs, it creates more opportunities to take different paths on draft night.
Related: Philadelphia Eagles mock draft 2023
However, Roseman’s history suggests the Eagles will likely prioritize the trenches. Philadelphia spent the 13th pick on defensive tackle Jordan Davis in 2022 and used the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on offensive lineman Landon Dickerson.
The emphasis the Eagles’ front office puts on being well-built in the trenches is largely responsible for why they have one of the best NFL defenses and offenses. Unsurprisingly, it appears Philadelphia has its eyes on drafting players to make a strength even better.
- Adetomiwa Adebawore stats (career): 24.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks in 36 games
During an appearance on PFN’s Football Insiders podcast, NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline shared that Roseman ‘absolutely loves’ Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore.
“I’m told that Howie Roseman absolutely loves the guy.”
Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline on Philadelphia Eagles’ interest in Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adebawore was one of the biggest winners from the 2023 NFL Combine. Measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 282 pounds, the 22-year-old defensive lineman posted some of the best athletic testing numbers at his position.
- Adetomiwa Adebawore RAS: 9.72 out of 10
In terms of his Relative Athletic Score – which measures a prospect’s agility, speed and explosion relative to their size and position – Adebawore graded as an elite athlete. The closest NFL comparison from a RAS perspective as a defensive tackle was Aaron Donald (9.7) and Ed Oliver (9.9). While he lacked consistent production at Northwestern, Adebawore is viewed as a much better NFL player long-term than he was in college.
The Eagles likely don’t view him as a top-15 prospect, so he won’t be a target even if they trade down from the 10th pick. However, he could be one of the top options when Philadelphia is on the clock with the 30th overall pick.
Related: NFL insider addresses Budda Baker to Philadelphia Eagles rumors