You've probably seen the name popping up in roster transactions lately, but the truth about the Tommy Akingbesote NFL draft journey is way more interesting than just a name on a Saturday afternoon scroll. Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the interior defensive line, you're missing where games are actually won. Tommy Akingbesote isn't your typical plug-and-play superstar who was born with a football in his hand. He was actually a basketball kid first.
He didn't even touch a competitive football field until his junior year at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Maryland. That’s late. Like, really late for someone who ends up in the league. But when you’re 6-foot-4 and over 300 pounds with a 5.09-second 40-yard dash, people notice. The Dallas Cowboys certainly did when they called his name in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Raw Power of a Largo Legend
Maryland fans knew him as the "big man in the middle" who just kept getting better. By his senior year in 2024, he was a force, racking up 32 tackles and five tackles for loss. Those aren't just "filler" stats. They represent a guy who learned how to use 33.5-inch arms to keep 300-pound guards off his chest.
NFL scouts love "length." It's one of those buzzwords they throw around, but for Akingbesote, it's a real-world tool. He basically uses those long arms like a forklift. If he gets his hands under a blocker's pads, it’s game over for that rep.
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Why the Cowboys Took a Flier on Him
The Cowboys weren't looking for a day-one starter when they took him at No. 247 overall. They were looking for a project. A "toolsy" player.
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 306 lbs (though he’s played heavier)
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.09 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 29.5 inches
It’s about the upside. He’s a "three-technique" interior lineman who can also slide out to an "odd-front" defensive end. Versatility is currency in the NFL. If you can only do one thing, you’re replaceable. If you can play three spots, you’ve got a career.
The Reality Check: Practice Squads and Perseverance
Let’s be real for a second. Being a seventh-round pick is a brutal uphill climb. Akingbesote was waived by the Cowboys in August 2025 during those final roster cuts that break hearts every year. He didn't quit, though. He landed on the Carolina Panthers practice squad for a bit before moving on to the Buffalo Bills.
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This is the "NFL grind" nobody talks about. It's not all private jets and Monday Night Football. It's living out of a suitcase and learning three different playbooks in three months.
What the Scouting Reports Actually Mean
When experts say he has "untapped potential," they mean he’s still learning how to be a football player. Remember, he’s only been playing this game for about six years. That’s nothing compared to guys who started in Pop Warner at age seven.
The biggest knock on his game? Consistency. Sometimes he pops up too high at the snap, losing his leverage. In the NFL, if you stand up, you get pushed back. Period. He’s also working on his pass-rush moves. A bull rush is great, but you need a "counter" when a pro tackle stops your first move.
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Can He Stick in the League?
The Buffalo Bills current setup gives him a chance to learn behind some veteran interior defenders. He has the "twitch"—that sudden explosiveness—that you just can't teach. You can teach a guy to keep his pads low. You can't teach a guy to be 310 pounds and move like a linebacker.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Dynasty Owners
If you're tracking the Tommy Akingbesote NFL draft profile for your deep-league dynasty team or just because you’re a Terps die-hard, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Preseason: This is where guys like Tommy make their money. If he shows he can hold the point against the run, he’ll find a permanent home on a 53-man roster.
- Weight Room Transition: Scouts mentioned he has a frame that can carry more weight without losing quickness. If he hits 315-320 lbs of muscle, he becomes a much more dangerous "one-gap" penetrator.
- Hand Usage: Keep an eye on his "club and swim" moves. If he starts winning with technique instead of just raw strength, his ceiling as a rotational pass rusher skyrockets.
Tommy Akingbesote is the classic "high-ceiling, low-floor" prospect. He might be a career practice squad traveler, or he might be the next late-round gem that turns into a solid NFL starter by 2027. Given his track record of rapid improvement at Maryland, I wouldn't bet against the big man from Largo.
To stay updated on his progress, follow the Buffalo Bills' official transaction wire and look for defensive line rotation notes during the upcoming training camp cycle. Monitoring his "snap counts" during preseason games is the best way to gauge if the coaching staff trusts his development in real-game situations.