5 undrafted rookies who could make Detroit Lions 53-man roster

1. RB Mohamed Ibrahim

Ibrahim had a great career at Minnesota, finishing as the school’s all-time leading rusher (4,668 yards) and rushing touchdown scorer (53). If not for a season-ending Achilles’ tear in the 2021 season opener against Ohio State, there’s a good chance he’d have led the Big Ten in rushing three straight seasons.

A smaller back without outstanding athletic traits, Ibrahim was regarded as a late-round draft pick at best. In quickly signing him as an undrafted guy, the Lions practically paid him as if he was seventh-round pick.

I’ve said it several times, and I’ll say it again. Ibrahim has things in his toolbox that simply can’t be measured–savvy, toughness, etc.–and things that are noticable on tape (instincts, power, center of gravity that leads to “always falling forward”).

Via Lions Wire, Ibrahim pointed to why he has been so good after contact (3.56 yards after contact per carry last season) back at the NFL Combine.

"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.”"

Getting right down to it, Ibrahim should have no trouble usurping Jermar Jefferson on the Lions’ depth chart. And Craig Reynolds may not be much of a challenge to surpass as the No. 3 back behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The former Gopher is a pretty easy No. 1 on this list.