The tried and true belief in the NFL is the games are won and lost in the trenches. Finding quality players for your defensive line is a priority for every team, every year. The fastest way to the quarterback is a straight line, and teams who can generate consistent interior pressure fare quite well in the biggest moments.
Thomas Incoom is an NFL draft prospect from Central Michigan hoping some team feels he can be a piece that comes in and provides the ability to disrupt the opponents’ rhythm. If all goes well, the defensive lineman may hear his name called before the 2023 NFL Draft is over. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about Incoom in his scouting report.
Thomas Incoom NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Defensive End
- School: Central Michigan
- Year: Senior
Incoom is a 260+ pound defensive end who took the Division II route to Central Michigan. His college career began in 2017 at Valdosta State, where he redshirted. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 14 games with three starts. In those 14 games, he generated 28 tackles, including seven solo stops, and posted 3.5 sacks among his five tackles for loss. He also added six quarterback hurries for good measure.
In 2019, Incoom earned first-team All-Gulf South Conference honors and helped Valdosta State to the league championship and an NCAA Division II playoff appearance. That season, he had 33 tackles (15 solo).
He appeared in all 11 games with nine starts and had 12.5 tackles for loss, among them 9.5 sacks. Improving on the year prior, he led the team with four forced fumbles and a recovered fumble. He finished eighth among all Division II players and second in the GSC with 0.36 forced fumbles per game and ranked 16th nationally and second in the league with 0.86 sacks per game.
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In 2020, Incoom transferred to Central Michigan, where his college career picks up again in 2021. As a redshirt junior, he played in all 13 games, making two starts. In those 13 games, he tallied 28 total tackles (8.5 for loss) and four sacks.
In his final collegiate season in 2022, Incoom played and started in all 12 games at defensive end. He earned an Honorable Mention All-America selection by Phil Steele Magazine. He was also named a First-Team All-MAC defensive lineman and was named to the Ted Hendricks Watch List, a national award that honors the nation’s top defensive end.
Incoom ranked fourth in the nation and second in the MAC in sacks (11.5) and was seventh in the nation and second in the MAC in tackles for loss (19). Incoom concluded his senior year ranked fourth on the squad in tackles with 57 (31 solo), recovered two fumbles, forced a fumble, and registered a team-high four quarterback hurries.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Thomas Incoom
Strengths: Valdosta State transfer who really improved as a pass rusher last season. Quick off the snap, plays with proper pad level, and gives effort. Keeps his feet moving and makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage. Fast up the field, can bend off the edge, and flattens then pursues from the back side.
Always on balance, rarely off his feet, and plays with proper leverage. Gets down the line of scrimmage, pursuing the action from the backside. Quick if asked to twist or stunt.
Weaknesses: Easily blocked from the action or knocked off balance by the initial hit. Controlled at the point of attack too often and needs to get the first step on defenders. May not have much growth potential. May not be able to play in a complex defense.
Overall: Incoom is a solid athlete with a relentless style who was constantly disrupting the action on Saturdays. He’s a pass-rush specialist with possibilities out of a three-point stance or standing over tackle, and plays with a special-teams mentality.
Thomas Incoom Combine Measurements and Results:
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 262 pounds
- Arm: 33 7/8″
- Hand: 10 3/8″
- Bench Press: 23
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.66
Thomas Incoom Current NFL Draft Projection
According to Tony Pauline’s big board, Incoom is projected as a sixth-round draft pick. He is the 17th-ranked defensive end in this year’s class and Pauline’s 212th-ranked prospect overall, regardless of position.
Incoom also registered a Relative Athletic Score of 8.54, which is considered “great.” That ranks him as the 235th most athletic defensive end out of 1600 prospects measured since 1987. He received a poor grade for size, which was weighed down by his height, coming in under 6’3″. Likewise, his vertical left a lot to be desired and was also graded as “poor” at only 30.5 inches.
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Where Incoom is elite athletically at the position is his speed. His 40-yard dash was on the low end of the “elite” rating, along with his 10- and 20-yard splits. Speed off the edge is something all NFL teams covet. At 262 pounds, running a sub-4.7 40-yard dash will be something teams look at favorably.
As of now, the Philadelphia Eagles don’t have a pick in Rounds 4, 5, or 6. If they are unable to get the EDGE they need at the top of the draft or find adequate depth in the middle rounds, Incoom could be sitting there for them at pick No. 219.
They would need to hope the board doesn’t fall in a way that hurts them. A team who could easily grab Incoom in Round 6 is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They could look to grab him at pick No. 196. Tampa has a need at EDGE, and drafting young players who have athletic upside in the later rounds is always a sound strategy.