Athletic LB Prospect Will Visit Vikings
Josh Frey
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Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, a number of the top 2023 NFL Draft prospects are making pre-draft visits to NFL franchises. The main goal of these visits is to show the franchises that they are worth spending draft picks on later this month. The Minnesota Vikings have seen a number of prospects over the past couple weeks, and now, athletic LB prospect Mohamoud Diabate of the University of Utah is the latest to meet with Minnesota.
This visit was initially reported by Justin Melo of The Draft Network. In the site’s draft profile of Diabate, Joe Marino has placed a fifth-round value on Diabate, naming his ideal role as ‘weakside linebacker with rush potential’. The top reasons to buy in on Diabate are listed as his size and range, versatility, physicality, and urgency.
This certainly tracks on Diabate’s Utah film. He is all over the place with outstanding athleticism and speed, and his motor looks like one of the best in this class. In 2022 with the Utes, Diabate recorded 58 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, a pass defended, and a forced fumble.
This was his only season at Utah after spending his first three collegiate years with the Florida Gators. During those three seasons at Florida, he recorded a grand total of 170 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, a pass defense, an interception, and 3 forced fumbles.
The Vikings certainly could use some more linebacker depth this offseason, considering they parted ways with longtime starter Eric Kendricks this offseason, who is now with the Los Angeles Chargers. The hope is that 2022 third-round pick Brian Asamoah can step in to take over a starting spot opposite Jordan Hicks, but extra depth is certainly a need for the Vikings.
Currently, Minnesota has the 23rd, 87th, 119th, 158th, and 211th selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Perhaps one of those picks will be used on Diabate.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.