1 week Ago By Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys aren't afraid to take a total project player in the draft, especially when it costs them just a late-round pick. Defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote out of Maryland fits the bill this year.The Cowboys selected Akingbesote with the No.
247 pick, one that they banked as part of the deal for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo back in early November. It was the final pick of the 2025 draft for Dallas.Listed at 6-foot-4, Akingbesote cuts an imposing figure and will be the tallest of all the team's defensive tackles.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, he was a basketball prospect in high school before switching sports to the gridiron.He's still seen as somewhat raw, a development project for the right coaching staff. In Dallas, first-year D-line coach Aaron Whitecotton will lead that effort, with daily reps alongside Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, Mazi Smith, Justin Rogers, Denzel Daxon, and fellow rookie Jay Toia providing real-world lessons.
Here's what a few of the national outlets had to say in evaluating Akingbesote.Dane Brugler, The AthleticLinkOlatunbosun “Tommy” Akingbesote (ah-KING-bah-so-tay) grew up in District Heights, Md., with his parents (Odun and Arinola).
He saw himself as a basketball player before making the switch to football as a junior at Charles Herbert Flowers High, because that was his best chance at a college scholarship. A four-star recruit, Akingbesote received offers from Oklahoma, Texas A&M and others, but he was locked on nearby Maryland because of the coaching staff. He was the second-ranked defensive lineman in Mike Locksley’s 2021 class, behind Chop Robinson.
Akingbesote carries most of his weight in his upper half, and he can dent the depth of the pocket with initial quickness off the snap. He made gradual improvements each season and has yet to play his best football, although he is still connecting the dots — and things won’t slow down in the NFL. Overall, Akingbesote has unquestionable talent, especially for his size, but he was more of a cog in the machine than a difference-maker that jumped off the tape or the stat sheet.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.comLinkAkingbesote possesses the size, length and athleticism for consideration as an even-front three-technique or an odd-front defensive end. He gets off the ball with adequate quickness and has the length to punch, separate and create opportunities.
When he’s not first in, stronger guards tend to keep him under control. The sack production is lower, but tape flashes show there is meat on that bone. Akingbesote isn’t ready for the pro game right now, but he has traits and developmental potential if a team is willing to invest the time.
Ryan Fowler, The Draft NetworkLinkAn experienced and mature athlete with four years of experience along the Terrapins’ defensive front, Tommy Akingbesote is an intriguing prospect along the defensive line, offering a blend of power, quickness, and raw upside. He possesses a well-built frame with the ability to anchor against the run while also flashing disruptive traits as a pass rusher. Has a quick first step for a player of his size, allowing him to gain early leverage against interior blockers.
Against the run, Akingbesote shows solid gap integrity and the strength to hold his ground against double teams. While he is not a dominant two-gapper, his ability to stack and shed makes him effective in early-down situations. Motor runs hot and he consistently pursues plays down the line of scrimmage, showing good range for an interior lineman even into the deeper areas of the flats on outside runs.
Pad level can occasionally rise when taking on stronger blockers, which limits his ability to consistently dictate leverage, but his natural power allows him to compensate in many situations.As a pass rusher, Akingbesote has a skill set that needs fine-tuning. He flashes an effective bull rush that can collapse the pocket, and his hand usage continues to improve in one-on-one situations.
While he is not yet a high-level interior mover, his blend of explosiveness and power suggests he could develop in this area with further refinement. His ability to win with quickness and strength gives him an intriguing ceiling, particularly in an even-front scheme where he can attack gaps with his ears pinned back. Concerns remain about his consistency.
There are flashes of high-level actions and movement, but he will need to refine his technique, particularly in maintaining a lower center of gravity and improving his counters as a rusher. He’s more of a slasher than an upfield pursuit technician in the ground game, a tough way to live for a man of his size against more powerful and athletic NFL linemen. His motor, however, makes him a strong rotational prospect with the potential to carve out a bigger role in the right system.
Overall, Akingbesote is a toolsy defensive lineman with the physical traits to be a developmental player at the next level. While he may not be an instant three-down contributor, his ability to stop the run and flash disruptive traits as a pass rusher make him a promising developmental option with starter upside.Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Draft profiles of Cowboys' Round 7 project DT Tommy Akingbesote.
