Heading into the 2021 season, expectations were quite high for then-rising second-year defensive lineman Justin Madubuike. After showing some flashes in his rookie season and impressing last summer, many billed Madubuike a true candidate for a breakout sophomore campaign.
With Derek Wolfe on the shelf for the entirety of last year, and both Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams missing some time also, Madubuike’s playing time increased significantly. He started 11 games and played 484 defensive snaps, which were much greater than the three starts and 260 snaps he saw in 2020.
Despite this increased workload, Madubuike did not make the huge statistical leap many had anticipated.