The Las Vegas Raiders already have their starting defensive ends in Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell. They also added Carl Nassib this past free agency, but nothing is deterring them from getting more talent in the draft. They should keep an eye on Khalil Kareem.
Raiders Blog: Khalid Kareem- 6’4″, 270 lbs. – Defensive End
Kareem is a powerful edge defender that can hold his own. He spent all four years of his collegiate career with the Fighting Irish. He came in as part of the top recruiting class but was limited his first year and only saw time on the field in four games. Later, he would grow into a solid contributor for Notre Dame.
- 2017: 20 tackles (10 solo, 10 assisted), 5.5 for loss, three sacks, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
- 2018: 42 tackles (23 solo, 19 assisted), 10.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, five passes defensed and one forced fumble.
- 2019: 46 tackles (23 solo, 23 assisted), 10 for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovered for a touchdown.
Raiders Blog: The case against Kareem
He lacks the explosiveness and traits to make many plays outside of his area and his slowness makes him a liability in the run game. He’s thought to not have athletic ability, but you don’t see it here;
How about some Khalid Kareem exploding off the ball and attacking the throwing hand of BC's Anthony Brown to cause an incompletion https://t.co/MpFNKCtdvK
— Jamie Uyeyama (@jamieuyeyama) April 15, 2020
Level of Disruption and Strength
A powerful defender that can create pocket pressure with the smarts to outmaneuver tackles with force and good inside hand technique. He can be as disruptive as they come. The man is a beast.
#NotreDame EDGE #53 Khalid Kareem stacks the right tackle four yards into the backfield, then sheds with force for a big TFL. Makes it look easy. pic.twitter.com/2jtdJYYVuT
— Fed Scivittaro (@MeshPointScout) September 3, 2019
NFL transition
What Kareem lacks in ability, he makes up with in force. He can be a solid starter if he gets his agility up but seems more destined for a backup role, disrupting fourth quarters when the game matters the most. It will really depend on how he prepares because he won’t be muscling through tackles at the pro level the way he did in college and after tearing his labrum (ligament in shoulder) last season. He might have trouble with movement, although it doesn’t seem to be bothering him now:
Notre Dame DE and team captain Khalid Kareem tore his labrum Nov. 9 vs. Duke and underwent surgery on it Jan. 21. Here’s how Kareem looks almost three months later: pic.twitter.com/wETfZ6Nwrk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 13, 2020
Draft selection
I see him going as high as the third round for a team in need as this isn’t a deep end draft class, but he may slide all the way to the fifth or even sixth.
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Team fit
A lot of mocks I have seen have him going to Chargers for some but I can see a prospect like this flourishing in an already solid line. He could fit in nicely with the 49ers or Titans.
Final thoughts
I like Kareem, although some say he lacks agility, I have seen a lot of tape and he does show flashes. I would not be surprised to see him moved across the line his first year to see how he grasps everything at the pro level.
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Don’t be surprised to see him brought in as a closer either, playing only second halves, where his disruptive force would come into play more often. The man has been defensive player of the game at times after all.
Incorporating video highlights into static graphic templates this year. Liking how these came out! Side note: 👀 for Khalid Kareem this year. #GoIrish #smsports https://t.co/STCgpbK48T
— Chris Charizopoulos (@chris_charizard) September 3, 2018
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