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Late-Round Running Back Lions Should Target in 2023 NFL Draft

Originally posted on Detroit Lions on SI | By Vito Chirco | Last updated 2/28/23

Even after a solid season from the Detroit Lions' ground game in 2022, the team could be in search of a running back this offseason.

If it goes the way of this April's NFL Draft to upgrade the position and doesn't select consensus top running back prospect Bijan Robinson in the first round, don't be surprised if the organization waits until later in the draft to address the need.

If Lions general manager Brad Holmes follows that plan exactly, Minnesota Golden Gophers' Mohamed Ibrahim would be a great late-round running back prospect for Detroit to target.

Ibrahim, who currently has a fifth-round grade, according to SI NFL Draft Bible, stands in at approximately 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, and profiles as a bruising back at the next level. With the said frame, he should have the ability to absorb the punishing blows of NFL defenders and pick up yards after contact (as he did during his time at Minnesota).

In 2022, he rushed for a career-high 20 touchdowns and 1,665 yards on 320 carries, good for an average of 5.2 yards per carry. In doing so, he set the Golden Gophers' all-time rushing record with 4,668 yards and 53 touchdowns.

Ibrahim undoubtedly had an impressive collegiate career. Yet, he does come with his fair share of flaws.

For starters, he does have an extensive lower-body injury history. He played in less than 60 minutes of the 2021 campaign, after suffering a ruptured Achilles' tendon in the season opener of that year against Ohio State.

He'll also be 25 years old come the start of his rookie season, which many NFL franchises will view as a negative when evaluating Ibrahim as a prospect. And subsequently, it'll likely cause him to fall down several teams' draft boards.

As much as that's the case, it could work in favor of a team like the Lions, which don't have a dire need at running back and can wait until the final rounds of the draft to address the position.

NFL Draft Bible views Ibrahim as a "smooth, one-cut, zone back who has astute processing plus vision, combined with short-area acceleration, nimble feet, agile hips (and) good contact balance." The site further states that Ibrahim "is an excellent pass protector, but struggles making reads in gap/power schemes and is not a refined route runner out of the backfield."

If drafted by the Lions, the Golden Gophers product could very easily slide into a rotational role in the team's backfield, alongside incumbent starter Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift.

Now, if Williams, an impending free agent, leaves the franchise this offseason, more would be expected of Ibrahim from day one, and there's certainly a chance that he could handle the increased workload.

To me, Ibrahim would be a nice find for Holmes & Co. with one of the Lions' two sixth-round picks (No. 169 and No. 180 overall).

This article first appeared on Detroit Lions on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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