As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Israel Abanikanda.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Israel Abanikanda (RB – Pittsburgh)
Israel Abanikanda (RB – Pittsburgh)
5’11” – 215 lbs.
Background:
Three-star recruit who carried the ball 28 times as a freshman, then split carries with Vincent Davis and Rodney Hammond Jr. the following year, starting six of thirteen games and rushing for 123-651-7 (5.3), adding 24-197-1 through the air. Became the full-time starter this past year and enjoyed a highly productive campaign of 239-1,431-20 (6.0) to conclude his college career.
Positives:
Had an outstanding junior campaign in which he functioned as the team’s feature back, typically executing outside zone concepts. Reasonably-built runner with a low center of gravity. Runs with decisiveness and executes the play as designed. Does a nice job of recognizing cutback lanes, and his clean, subtle footwork allows him to shuffle into holes or navigate through congestion effectively; reliably gets what’s blocked for him. Shows impressive burst in the hole and solid top-end speed to rip off big runs. Can occasionally sidestep early penetration to salvage short gains or get back to the line of scrimmage. Some ability to run through arm tackles or spin-off of contact for additional yardage. Generally does a pretty good job of finishing runs by falling forward. Has solid ball security, with only three career fumbles. Didn’t return many kicks, but scored on one return in 2021.
Negatives:
Benefited from the opportunity to run through some big holes during the games reviewed. Drives his legs well after contact but generally struggles to push the pile; functional strength appears average at best and doesn’t generate many yards after contact. Gets brought down easily at or before the line of scrimmage, when he hasn’t built up a head of steam. Was relatively little used as a receiver in school, and hands appear questionable, with five drops versus thirty-eight career receptions. Pass protection was iffy in school over limited snaps, and may not have the ideal power for that role at the next level.
Summary:
A quick running back with impressive vision and burst in the hole, he reliably picked up what was blocked for him and showed the ability to break big plays when he found a crease this past season, traits which should appeal to zone-heavy teams looking for a change-of-pace back. However, struggles to break tackles and grind out tough yardage by pushing the pile on inside attempts, and hasn’t blocked or caught the ball with the consistency teams look for in a third-down back, which may cause him to slip into the mid-rounds on draft day.
Projection: Round 5
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