What did the pre-draft scouting reports say about Lions EDGE Ahmed Hassanein?

[ASFN Admin]

The Detroit Lionsselected Boise State EDGE Ahmed Hassanein with their 6th-round pick in this year's draft.

The Lions entered the draft with a significant need for pass rushers, and added some depth to that spot with the 6'2, 267-pound Hassanein. He's also the first Egyptian to ever be taken in the NFL Draft.

As a late-round pick, Hassanein's value equates to his expectations -- meaning Lions fans shouldn't expect him to make a significant impact right away. However, with 2024 as an example, a flurry of injuries could thrust him into more playing time at any moment.

Scouting reports from multiple outlets projected Hassanein to land right about where he ended up in the draft. They also point out his lack of total football experience could get him off to a slow start.

Here's a look at some notes from a handful of outside scouting reports:

NFL.com​

• Prospect Grade: 5.69 (out of 8)
• League Projection: Candidate for bottom of depth roster or practice squad
• NFL Next Gen Stats Total Score: 66 (2025 Combine DE/EDGE Rank No. 29)
• Analysis from NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein:
  • Bulky 4-3 defensive end with a strong motor and impressive production but a lack of NFL-ready instincts. Hassanein hasn’t played as much football as other prospects, so he’s still in the process of learning technique and developing play recognition. He comes off the ball with a narrow base but will deliver a good initial pop. The rush production is less a function of skilled play and more a function of play extension and secondary effort. He’s tough but limited and misses a lot of tackles.

Pro Football Focus​

• 2024 Pass Rush Grade: 76.9
• 2024 Run Defense Grade: 80.3
• 2024 Pass Rush Win Rate: 16.1%
• 2024 Overall Grade: 81.4
• Analysis from PFF:
  • Hassanein's effort and physicality at the point of attack will lead to him being a favorite of NFL coaches, even though he lacks elite athletic traits. He looks to be an ideal rotational edge who will be effective at holding his own at the line of scrimmage against the run while he works to add to his pass-rush toolbox. He should be considered an early Day 3 prospect.

Bleacher Report​

• Grade: 5.9
• Overall Draft Rank: 259
• Position Rank: EDGE 25
• Pro Comparison: Jesse Luketa
• Analysis by BR NFL Draft Scouting Dept.:
  • Ahmed Hassanein is still new to the game, having not played football competitively until 2019 and spending the majority of his life in Egypt. That increases his ceiling in the NFL, and he has the size and strength to be a solid run-defending base defensive end. Hassanein consistently takes on blocks with good leverage and has impressive strength at the point of attack to be disruptive against the run, especially when he uses his hands. However, he's still inconsistent with the latter, as that's part of where his inexperience shows up.

The Draft Network​

• Draft Projection: Scheme Specific Contributor, Day 3 Selection
• Analysis from Ryan Fowler:
  • Ahmed Hassanein is a powerful and high-effort pass rusher with a blend of explosiveness, power, and technique that makes him a legitimate challenger for a key rotational role at the next level...Concerns remain about his overall athletic profile, flexibility, and bend as a rusher. Hassanein doesn’t consistently corner as tightly as the elites in the class, which, at times, can limit his ability to finish plays when working around the arc. Additionally, his pass-rush arsenal could be more diverse. While he wins with power, adding a speed asset to his game, along with more refined counter moves, would make him a more well-rounded threat.Overall, Hassanein has the traits and production to be a solid contributor at the next level as a hybrid front defender. His first step, play strength, relentless motor, and read-and-react ability against the run showcase a floor as a rotational defender early in his career.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Ahmed Hassanein: What pre-draft scouting reports said about Lions EDGE

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