2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Justin Madubuike

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Justin Madubuike, 6-3/293 Defensive Tackle Texas A&M

Justin Madubuike Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Big, strong, boxy build

Quick first-step

Fast at the point of attack

Twitchy

Can physically dominate offensive linemen

Plays with a mean streak at times

Intimidating presence

Quick at the point of attack

Effective interior pass-rusher

Explosive

Splash plays

Extremely disruptive

Natural pad level

Skilled at shedding blocks

Good pursuit run-defender

Instinctive

Upside; could get better with experience

Weaknesses:

Off-the-field issues

Inconsistent

Disappears at times during games

Less effective when he moves toward the edge

At times can get overwhelmed with real mass

Summary: Madubuike decided to skip his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft after an impressive junior season in which he recorded 5.5 sacks, 45 tackles and 11.5 tackles for a loss. After Derrick Brown, Madubuike was best interior defensive lineman in the SEC, as he was dominant in some games during the 2019 season. He put together some phenomenal tapes, like his performance against Ole Miss, but was even more impressive when he had his way with the elite Georgia offensive line that featured five potential NFL starters and future early-round picks. If it weren’t for off-the-field issues, Madubuike might be a rock-solid first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

There is a lot to like about Madubuike on tape, and there are very few weakness in his game. He has an excellent skill set, as he is quick lineman with twitchy athleticism. On top of his speed, Madubuike is big and strong with boxy build that makes it difficult for offensive linemen to sustain blocks against him. Madubuike can use his quickness to fire by guards and get penetration upfield while also being able to power through them with violence.

Madubuike’s strength and boxy build make him tough to move in the ground game. He can be a stout run defender who holds his gap and also is able to shed blocks to make tackles outside of his gap. He is a well-rounded defender who is effective in both phases.

When Madubuike turns it on, he can be amazing and completely dominate a game. However, Madubuike is inconsistent from week-to-week and even quarter-to-quarter. He can disappear for stretches and then become a monster, so the inconsistency is questionable. On the field, one of the few things that Madubuike needs to work on is not getting overwhelmed by mass.

If Madubuike can clear up off-the-field issues and focus on football, he could be an excellent NFL defensive lineman because he has the skill set of a top interior player. Team sources say Madubuike’s physical talent is very similar to that of Ed Oliver, who was a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The off-the-field issues will probably sink Madubuike to the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but if he stays out of trouble, he could be a steal.



Player Comparison: Kawann Short. Madubuike reminds me of Short as they both have speed, strength, and twitchy athleticism. Some team sources compared Madubuike to Ed Oliver, which might be a better comparison.

2020 NFL Draft Scouting Reports - Choose Player 2020 NFL Draft Player Previews - Home Trey Adams, OT, Washington Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State Cam Akers, RB, Florida State Bradley Anae, DE, Utah Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn Joe Burrow, QB, LSU K'Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame Nick Coe, DE, Auburn Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn Ashtyn Davis, S, California Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama Grant Delpit, S, LSU Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne Troy Dye, LB, Oregon J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State Jacob Eason, QB, Washington Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU Jon Greenard, DE, Florida Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA Robert Hunt, G, La.-Lafayette Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn Austin Jackson, OT, USC Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah Josh Jones, OT, Houston Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma Walker Little, OT, Stanford Jordan Love, QB, Utah State Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama Zack Moss, RB, Utah Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri Patrick Queen, LB, LSU Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson Trey Smith, OT, Tennessee D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

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