Tag: Mohamed Ibrahim

Lions rookie report: Strong showing from Detroit’s rookies in win over Giants

The Lions beat the Giants 21-16 and relied heavily on contributions from the rookie class

The Detroit Lions came out victorious from their first preseason game of 2023. Not only did they come out with a win, but they got early returns on their investments from their rookie class.

You can’t talk about this game without mentioning the wide receivers. Detroit has three first-year receivers on the team and all three made an impact against the Giants.

Chase Cota, undrafted out of Oregon, played for most of the game and had quite the professional debut with four catches for 60 yards. Seventh-round pick Antoine Green aided early on in the game with three catches of his own for 36 yards. Dylan Drummond, who has picked up some attention throughout training camp, had a quieter game but still contributed nonetheless. The former Eastern Michigan wideout earned 12 yards on two receptions and also took one kick return for 19 yards.

Undrafted rookie quarterback Adrian Martinez came in for Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter and showed some flashes of potential. Known for being mobile in college, he ran the ball 5 times with his longest gain being 10 yards. He capped off his day with a rushing touchdown to take Detroit into the lead. He didn’t look as good as a passer, only completing four-of-seven attempts for 37 yards, but his performance should earn him more playing time in the remaining preseason showings.

Tight end Sam LaPorta saw the field plenty in the first half of the game, but did not contribute much to the box score. He was utilized often in 12-personnel sets alongside Brock Wright and the two even lined up side-by-side at times. LaPorta was targeted once but dropped the pass.

First-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs impressed early on despite some poor offensive line play up front. The shifty running back showed an ability to find his way upfield in situations that would normally be a loss of yardage. He also briefly flashed his skills as a receiver with one catch for 18 yards. He also proved himself to be a team player as he is credited with a tackle on New York’s Jason Pinnock following an interception from Sudfeld.

Fellow rookie running back Mohamed Ibrahim did not share the same successes. Ibrahim averaged 2.3 yards per carry on his four touches and had to briefly go to the locker room wit the trainer after suffering a minor injury.

On the offensive line, fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal started the game at right guard and it became evident that there would be a learning curve for the former William & Mary lineman. Undrafted rookies Brad Cecil and Connor Galvin served as the respective second-team center and right tackle.

On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Brodric Martin may have stood out size-wise, but his one tackle on the day leaves us waiting to see what made the Western Kentucky product worthy of a costly trade-up in the third round. Fellow rookie linemen Chris Smith and Cory Durden saw limited action against the Giants but did not do anything noteworthy.

First-round pick Jack Campbell had a very impressive debut for the Lions. The former Iowa Hawkeye had four tackles and a pass defense on the day and seemed to bring life to the team’s run defense. With Alex Anzalone not suited up, Campbell got the start alongside Derrick Barnes.

Undrafted linebacker Trevor Nowaske had his name called on the broadcast a few times, and for good reason. The Saginaw Valley State standout also put up four tackles in this matchup against New York.

The four rookies in Detroit’s secondary were some of the biggest playmakers of this group. Safety Brandon Joseph made impactful plays everywhere on the field. On top of his game-sealing interception, he also played well against the run and even made a tackle-for-loss.

Nickel defender Brian Branch got his first start as a Lion and immediately made plays. Not even four minutes into the game, he sniffed out a screen to veteran Cole Beasley and quickly took him down for a loss of yardage.

Undrafted rookie Starling Thomas has been the training camp darling of 2023, and he continued to impress against the Giants. His biggest contributions were on special teams, where he excelled as a gunner on the punt team and also put up some key blocks on kick and punt returns throughout the game.

Look: Top photos from the Lions preseason win over the Giants

RB depth setting up the Lions for a big summer roster battle

The Lions have a big summer battle brewing for the RB spots behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery

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The names at the top of the Detroit Lions depth chart at running back have changed. Who fills the next few spots behind newcomers Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is one of the biggest uncertainties on the Lions roster as the team enters mandatory minicamp, too.

With much of the offseason work unpadded and not full contact, it makes running back perhaps the hardest position to evaluate. Other than catching the ball and running routes, there isn’t a lot of what RBs do in games (breaking tackles, pass protection, running through contact) replicated. When the pads do come on and the action intensifies in training camp, including joint practices with the Giants and Jaguars in Allen Park, and preseason, there should be a lot of focus on the running back battle.

And what a battle it should be!

The top three RBs from last year are all gone. Jamaal Williams (Saints), D’Andre Swift (Eagles) and Justin Jackson (unsigned) accounted for all but 24 of the running back carries in 2022. The top returnee is Craig Reynolds, who had 23 of those.

Reynolds looked impressive in OTAs with his movement and hands as a receiver. He’s a muscular, power-oriented back who reliably churns out 4.4 yards per carry. Reynolds, now wearing No. 13, isn’t likely to break run much longer than that without having to run a defender over, however. He has shown he can catch the ball and pass protect adeptly, and the 26-year-old stepped up on special teams in 2022 as well.

He’s in pencil as the No. 3 back behind Gibbs and Montgomery, or Montgomery and Gibbs if you prefer. But Reynolds looks to have serious competition for that status, even if his roster spot appears safe.

Third-year back Jermar Jefferson has spent almost his entire career on the Lions practice squad. Jefferson has flashed sharp footwork and acceleration in his two training camps and preseasons since being a seventh-round pick in 2021, but he’s had ongoing struggles with ball security (both fumbling and catching) and pass protection.

It’s too early to know about the pass protection front, but Jefferson has been rock solid with his hands and receiving skills in OTAs. He also looks like he’s worked on his initial burst, and the attention to a weak point appears to be paying off. Jefferson looks more explosive and lithe.

Based on how he’s looked thus far and how he’s taken the top reps when Montgomery sits out of the voluntary activities, Jefferson figures to have ample opportunities to make more noise and carve out a legit role on the roster in his third season. Pass protection has to dramatically improve right away for that to happen. He’s still just 23 years old, so there is hope for Jefferson.

Then there are the undrafted wild cards, Greg Bell from the UDFA class of 2022 and Mohamed Ibrahim from this year. Both have the potential to usurp roles from Reynolds and/or Jefferson with strong summers. Both are also off to very impressive starts in those quests.

Bell made positive impressions by this point last offseason as a UDFA from San Diego State. A hamstring injury on the second day of training camp ended his rookie campaign. Bell is fighting the odds to make it, but he’s done that before; his college career nearly ended in 2019 with a terrible eye injury.

He’s got the best blend of power, speed, hands and quick feet of the group. The speed isn’t instant, but it’s impressive once he gets a lane–think James Stewart from days of Lions past. It was just noncontact drills, but the sharp cuts at full gallop Bell made in a couple of drills really stood out. If he can carry that into training camp and remain on the field, Bell has a legit chance to remain on the roster in 2023.

Ibrahim might have an even better chance than Bell. The Ibrahim we saw on Thursday was explosive and fast in the open field, a contrast to what he showed a week earlier. For a guy who made his living at Minnesota by running over and through would-be tacklers, that was impressive. The Lions gave Ibrahim a nice signing bonus, clearly seeing something worth going after.

It’s going to be fun watching this battle for the final two, or perhaps three, RB roster spots play out this offseason. New RB coach Scottie Montgomery and the Lions coaches have some tough decisions to evaluate at running back.

Lions UDFA profile: Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim

Breaking down Lions UDFA RB Mohamed Ibrahim from Minnesota and what he offers to Detroit

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After the initial Lions rookie minicamp, undrafted free agent Mohamed Ibrahim sure feels like he belongs in the Detroit backfield. It’s part of the reason why the Lions gave the running back from Minnesota a hefty signing bonus to lure him as a UDFA.

Ibrahim’s appeal is easy to see on his Golden Gopher game film. He’s short at 5-foot-8 but not small; at 203 pounds, he’s thick and powerful. Ibrahim uses the lower-body muscle and relentless leg drive to reliably grind yardage after contact. It’s his best attribute as a runner.

Ibrahim averaged an outstanding 3.56 yards after contact in 2022, which helped net him over 1,100 yards after contact. He’s very adept at running through contact and using excellent balance to keep moving forward. Ibrahim has a good understanding of how to set up his blocks and quickly react to what is blocked for him. He’s also a great blocker in his own right, effectively stonewalling defenders in pass protection.

His on-field game screamed, “draft me,” but there are some viable drawbacks. Ibrahim battled several leg injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2021 and an ankle issue in his freshman season in 2018. He will turn 25 the day after Detroit’s Week 1 matchup with the Chiefs, too.

Minnesota rarely used him in the passing game beyond pass protection; Ibrahim had 22 career catches in five seasons but had three documented drops. Between his lack of height and very short (28-inch) arms, he’s just not a big target. His open-field speed isn’t explosive, nor is his acceleration through the hole. Ibrahim will get caught from behind, but it’s his ability to get clear to the second level and open field that makes him appealing.

Detroit is a great fit for Ibrahim. He’s a runner who needs effective blocking to get him going. Ibrahim’s aggressive style of going straight north/south and willingness to attack would-be tacklers fits well in the Lions offense. Ibrahim figures to challenge stylistically similar vet Craig Reynolds for the No. 3 RB spot behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. His ability to contribute on special teams and in the passing game will determine if Ibrahim sticks long-term.

Lions UDFA RB Mohamed Ibrahim explains why he’s so good after contact

Ibrahim averaged 3.5 yard after contact per carry at Minnesota and is hoping to make the Lions

The Detroit Lions gave Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim a sizeable signing bonus to join the team as an undrafted free agent.

It’s easy to see why the Lions coveted Ibrahim once the draft was complete. The 5-foot-8, 206-pounder is a monster at gaining yards after contact.

Only two other collegiate RBs topped Ibrahim’s 1,106 yards after contact in 2022, a season that saw him average 3.56 yards after contact per carry. He’s excellent at not going down on first contact.

Back at the NFL Scouting Combine in the winter, Ibrahim explained how he manages to be so good at grinding out extra yards despite not being the biggest type of running back.

“Feet don’t die,” Ibrahim said in Indianapolis. “That’s one thing that coach Burns always says: Don’t let your feet die so they hit you at one yard. Just keep driving your feet and you’re gonna fall forward for four. Then you look up at the end of the game, and you got 50 yards after contact and it’s only because your feet don’t stop.”

It’s important for a player like Ibrahim to find a niche role in order to make the team. Being a short-yardage running back figures to be the key for Ibrahim, who has fought through numerous injuries and will be a 25-year-old rookie. He knows how to do that task very well.

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Lions give undrafted RB Mohamed Ibrahim a big signing bonus

Ibrahim will earn as much as a seventh-round pick with the signing bonus

After making eight selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions immediately got to work in the remaining pool of players that went undrafted. One of the biggest names that the Lions have signed so far is Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim.

Much of that is due to the fact that the Lions gave Ibrahim $100,000 guaranteed. That deal is equivalent to a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft. That tells us that the Lions could expect to have Ibrahim work his way onto the 53-man roster. That’s much more significant than just being a body for training camp.

When you go through the career of Ibrahim at Minnesota, it’s peaks and valleys. However, much of the good outweighs the bad. During his college career, he set the Minnesota career rushing yards record (4,668) and touchdowns (53) record.

The downside to Ibrahim is that he’s not overly fast and he’s battled through injuries for much of his career. During the 2021 season, he missed every game of the season but one due to a torn Achilles. If healthy, it shouldn’t be surprising for Ibrahim to make the roster and potentially have a short-yardage role for the Lions.

It’s unlikely for him to carve into the roles of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. One thing for sure is that he’ll certainly be a name worth monitoring this summer.

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Detroit Lions 2023 undrafted free agent tracker

Tracking all the undrafted free agent signed by the Detroit Lions after the 2023 NFL draft

The 2023 NFL draft might be over, but the Detroit Lions are not done adding players. Prospects who went undrafted during the seven rounds are now free to sign with any team.

Detroit GM Brad Holmes has typically been one of the most aggressive in signing undrafted free agents, or UDFAs.

Here are the players the Lions have either signed as undrafted free agents or invited to the rookie minicamp for an in-person audition. Some reported signings are subject to change.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

Ibrahim boasts a strong statistical resume that also is checkered with athletic question marks.

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim has endured a roller coaster of an FBS career, feeling high highs and low lows over his six total years tied to the program.

In 2017, he redshirted without an appearance and was praised for his role on the scout team. The following season saw an injury to Rodney Smith reposition Ibrahim into the lead role, and he didn’t disappoint with a line of 202-1,160-9 on the ground. With Smith returning to health and regaining his form in 2019, Ibrahim saw his share of the backfield chores dramatically dip.

Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 203 pounds
40 time: N/A

The Baltimore native’s 2020 campaign showcased his potential once again over the COVID-shortened, seven-game season. Once again, Ibrahim would experience a setback in his career trajectory, thanks to a torn Achilles tendon in the third quarter of the 2021’s opener. The kicker is he had already rushed for 163 yards and a pair of scores on 30 attempts. Finally, thanks to an extra year of eligibility because of the pandemic, Ibrahim returned to the Golden Gophers and had a season for the ages to show he not only recovered but still was an NFL-caliber consideration.

Table: Mohamed Ibrahim stats (2018-22)

Year School Class G Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
*2018 Minnesota rFr 10 202 1,160 5.7 9 4 26 6.5 0
*2019 Minnesota rSo 10 114 604 5.3 7 3 13 4.3 0
2020 Minnesota rJr 7 201 1,076 5.4 15 8 56 7.0 0
*2021 Minnesota rSr 1 30 163 5.4 2 0 0 — 0
*2022 Minnesota rSr 12 320 1,665 5.2 20 7 50 7.1 0

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

  • Plus-quality vision
  • Instinctual back in a zone scheme — better running between the tackles but has enough burst for outside zones
  • Knack for finding the end zone — scored 54 times over 40 games and 37 times during his final 20 appearances for Minnesota
  • Doesn’t waste much movement trying to find extra yardage — deliberate rusher who is at his best when the situation calls for a one-cut-and-go response
  • Shows adequate effort as a blocker
  • Runs low to the ground, keeps his feet churning, and bounces off incidental contact and arm tackles
  • Is a better receiver than his utilization stats suggest
  • Can wear down defenders with his grinding nature

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Cons

  • Lacks breakaway speed — doesn’t have an official time but is estimated to run in the high 4.5s
  • Inexperienced route runner
  • Nicked up with minor injuries here and there, aside from the Achilles tear
  • Will be 25 years old when the 2023 season begins
  • A ton of work last year with 327 total touches
  • Doesn’t offer enough in his overall profile to imply he’ll ever see more than two-down work as part of a committee

Fantasy football outlook

Due to his advanced age for a rookie, which is emphasized due to a position that has a short shelf life as it is, Ibrahim will be lucky to get drafted. He has an outside chance to go in the late sixth round or at any point in the final stanza, though we really could see him latching on as an undrafted free agent. That’s not all bad, because he can choose where he goes, but UDFAs have a longer path to making a final roster due to the lack of investment in bringing the player along.

In the perfect situation, Ibrahim could have a couple of years of fantasy relevance, but he doesn’t do enough overall to get excited over the odds. It would take a coaching philosophy like Mike Vrabel’s rare commitment to the ground game for Ibrahim to reach his maximum potential in the pros.

Breaking down Eagles picks in seven-round mock draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid

We’re breaking down the latest seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Jason Reid that landed Philadelphia Nolan Smith and three other defenders

The 2023 NFL draft is fast approaching, and as all 32 teams across the league increase their focus, scouts within the organization are doing their due diligence on all prospects.

Thanks to some draft night wizardry from Howie Roseman, the Eagles traded the No. 16 overall pick, No. 19 overall pick, and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for the No. 18 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, a 2022 seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.

Philadelphia has a Super Bowl-caliber offense and needs to reload on defense.

ESPN’s Jason Reid released his latest seven-round mock draft, and we break down all six picks.

Vikings send heavy contingent to Minnesota pro day

The Minnesota Vikings had both general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell at the Golden Gophers pro day on Wednesday.

With pro day season officially underway, scouts and front office personnel are heading out to colleges to meet prospects. According to SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson, the Minnesota Vikings are well represented with multiple personnel, including general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.

All 32 teams are represented at the Golden Gophers pro day and it’s easy to see why. They have multiple prospects that teams are interested in, including running back Mohamed Ibrahim and University of Minnesota-Duluth offensive lineman Brent Laing, who could realistically be drafted.

Is there anything to read into the Vikings making time for the Golden Gophers pro day? I think it’s just a smart practice going to the pro day within 20 miles from your building.

2023 NFL draft: Latest Giants Wire mock sees trades, 12 picks

In the latest 7-round mock draft from Giants Wire, the New York Giants trade back and end up making 12 total selections.

The New York Giants received two compensatory draft selections from the league on Thursday, raising their total to 11 for the upcoming NFL draft.

The Giants have settled some pressing issues already this offseason by bringing quarterback Daniel Jones under contract and placing the franchise tag placeholder on running back Saquon Barkley.

General manager Joe Schoen still has plenty of cap room to play with in free agency and will be filling some much-needed holes before he gets to the draft table.

One glaring need likely to be addressed in free agency is wide receiver. We project Schoen will bring in a veteran (perhaps Odell Beckham Jr., Adam Thielen or someone along those lines) and perhaps bring back Sterling Shepard or Darius Slayton.

Taking all of that into account, we decided to try our hand at a pre-free agency mock draft based on the news of the added draft picks.