Khalid

Kareem

Kareem appeared on just 61 defensive snaps last season, and saw action on 20 special teams snaps. The four-year veteran has been little more than a backup through his first three seasons in the league, and will likely serve as added depth in 2023.

The relatively healthy Bengals will be without Kareem, though that shouldn’t matter much against a Baltimore offense headed by third-string QB Josh Johnson. The Bengals are a top defensive option today.

A two-year starter for The Fighting Irish, Kareem (6'4"/268) often shifted inside to afford a role for both himself and teammate Julian Okwara in Notre Dame DC Clark Lea’s four-man defensive fronts. Kareem will likely struggle to find a home on the interior at the next level given his smaller frame, but his lack of burst won’t allow him to be pigeonholed as a pure edge rusher, either. He may have to resort to early-down work at the beginning, using his length (34 3/8"), physicality, and massive hands (10 7/8") to crater running games in the interim. Kareem’s clean-up procedure on his injured left shoulder from this offseason will be worth monitoring ahead of camp since it did force him to miss the draft process.

A two-year starter for The Fighting Irish, Kareem (6'4/268) often shifted inside to afford a role for both himself and teammate Julian Okwara in Notre Dame DC Clark Lea’s four-man defensive fronts. Kareem will likely struggle to find a home on the interior at the next level given his smaller frame, but his lack of burst won’t allow him to be pigeonholed as a pure edge rusher, either. He may have to resort to early-down work at the beginning, using his length (34 3/8"), physicality, and massive hands (10 7/8") to crater running games in the interim. Kareem’s clean-up procedure on his injured left shoulder from this offseason will be worth monitoring ahead of camp since it did force him to miss the draft process.

“Kareem has size and toughness but may not have enough athletic ability to ever be more than a backup 4-3 base end,” Zierlein writes of the 6-foot-4, 268-pound Notre Dame defender. The analyst notes that Kareem’s game is predicated on “technique and force” rather than burst/explosion. His overall assessment? “Kareem has size and toughness but may not have enough athletic ability to ever be more than a backup 4-3 base end.”

Kareem (6'4/265) is not as herald a prospect as teammate Julian Okwara, but the senior pass-rusher is no slouch. Kareem shows a wide array of pass-rush moves and a veteran-like understanding of how to pick and choose his approaches. While Kareem is not the quickest or bendiest player, he is agile enough to complement his impressive strength for the position. Kareem is likely a mid-round pick, barring an huge rise following the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Kareem (6'4/265) is considered the best NFL prospect at Notre Dame, and Pro Football Focus’ numbers support that. In addition to Kareem, the Irish have edge rusher Julian Okware who was second on PFF’s independent edge rushing list. In 2018, the duo racked up 12.0 sacks and 23.0 TFLs and that was with Jerry Tillery being a disruptor on the d-line.

Kareem (6'4/265) considered foregoing his final season of eligibility to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, but he ultimately decided to return for his senior season. The defensive lineman is coming off of a season in which he tallied 42 total tackles (10.5 for loss) and 4.5 quarterback sacks, and he’ll be a key option for a Notre Dame team that will look to get back to the College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish will have two NFL prospects on the defensive line in 2019, with Kareem being joined by fellow senior DE Julian Okwara.

Kareem (6'4/265) asked for feedback regarding his draft stock, and he has since decided to return to school. A disruptive 2018 season that resulted in 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss elevated his draft position, but Kareem will get a chance at becoming a Day 2 prospect with another quality season in 2019.

Kareem (6'4/255) came down awkwardly in the third quarter, and is just another injury in a game where the Fighting Irish have been decimated by them. It’s possible this is his last game as a member of Notre Dame, as the junior defender submitted his name to the NFL Draft Advisory Board.