2021 NFL Draft: Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim will be productive NFL RB
If you are looking for stability at the running back position in the 2021 NFL Draft, look no further than Mohamed Ibrahim out of Minnesota.
In today’s NFL, teams do not need to invest significant resources in order to be productive at the running back position. It is the most replaceable position in the entire game as legitimate running back value can seemingly be found at any time.
Like most years, the 2021 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent and depth at the running back position. Guys like Travis Etienne, Najee Harris and Kenny Gainwell are exciting, but NFL teams do not have to spend the top 50ish pick needed for these guys if they want to find a playmaker at the position. There is more than enough running back value to go around in the 2021 NFL Draft class and waiting until the middle rounds to attack the position may be the best plan of attack.
Here, we are going to take a look at one of my favorite mid-round running back prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Mohamed Ibrahim is coming off of back-to-back productive seasons in the Minnesota backfield and while the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to keep him off of the field in 2020, he clearly has an NFL-ready skill-set and plenty of long-term upside at the position.
Learning about Ibrahim’s game
Ibrahim’s ball-carrier vision immediately stands out on tape. This guy has a great feel for the game and does a fantastic job of finding the hole and hitting it hard. He sees the hole quickly and has the quick feet needed to get there a huge majority of the time. Ibrahim does not have much burst through the hole or long speed, but he is extremely shifty and naturally elusive in the open field. Ibrahim is undoubtedly quicker than he is fast.
This prospect also does a great job of maintaining a low pad level and consistently playing with leverage. He is powerful at the point of attack and shows incredible natural contact balance. Ibrahim is never going to be a big-time home run hitter, but his combination of short-area quickness, power and contact balance makes him a consistent contributor who will always keep the chains moving.
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Ibrahim has not proven himself as a pass-catcher at this point in his career and injuries have also been a concern. That being said, he is an extremely gifted player with the ball in his hands who will be able to make an impact at the next level. His long-term upside may be a bit limited, but Ibrahim is a safe 2021 NFL Draft prospect who will be an important part of a running back rotation at the next level. He is undoubtedly a smart player to target in the middle rounds of the draft.