2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mohamed Ibrahim (RB – Minnesota)

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 Mohamed Ibrahim.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mohamed Ibrahim (RB – Minnesota)

Mohamed Ibrahim (RB – Minnesota)

5’10” – 210 lbs.

Background:

Father immigrated to the United States from Nigeria. Redshirted, then started nine of ten games played the following year, replacing the injured Rodney Smith and posting 202-1,160-9 (5.7) that year. Smith reclaimed his starting role in 2019, with Ibrahim going 114-604-7 (5.3) before taking over the starting job in the shortened 2020 season and enjoying a 201-1,076-15 (5.4) line. Tore his Achilles in the opener of the 2021 season after rushing for 163 yards in the game, then returned in 2022 to post 304-1,594-19 (5.2). Also caught 22 career passes.

Positives:

Team captain and a highly productive three-year starter and played well in a reserve role in 2019 as well, showing that he can carry a heavy load. Relatively well-built back with a low center of gravity. Was asked to execute a relatively high rate of outside zone runs. Patiently waits for lanes to open before hitting the hole. Shows some ability to recognize cutback lanes, with adequate footwork to shuffle into lanes. Build-up speed is good enough to rip off the occasional chunk play. Able to run through some arm tackles when navigating through congestion. Has active legs after contact to push the pile and regularly falls forward at the end of his runs. Gets behind his pads and can deliver some blows to second-level defenders. Minimizes negative yardage runs. Decisiveness made him effective in short-yardage situations. Ball security is very good, with just four career fumbles on 868 attempts.

Negatives:

Spent six years in school and will be 25 in September. Has a lot of tread on his tires and tore his Achilles in 2021, so pre-draft medicals will be an important element of his stock. Doesn’t have a lot of burst or explosiveness to his game and may struggle to create for himself or hit home runs at the next level; could be difficult for him to outrun pro defenders to the edge. Often runs into the backs of his blockers. Fights for yardage after contact but doesn’t break a ton of tackles. Offers little value on passing downs, either as a receiver or in pass protection.

Summary:

One of the most productive runners in the class, offering a combination of patience, vision, ball security, and toughness which should appeal to pro teams, most likely those which use a lot of zone concepts, but who is also significantly older than your typical running back prospect, lacks ideal speed, explosiveness, and power, and doesn’t offer much in the passing game. That will probably make him a mid-to-late-rounder, depending on medicals.

Projection: Round 5-6

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