There are many names to know for the 2026 NFL Draft, but the endless list of players can be narrowed down to those who have a fitting skillset for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara could be on that short list. Let’s take a closer look at the Kamara:
Background
Kamara had to grind his way into becoming an NFL prospect. He entered college as a zero-star recruit with minimal offers before enrolling at James Madison, where he played under current Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.
Kamara appeared
in six games as a freshman before redshirting his sophomore season. He began to break out as a junior, recording four sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in just five games before another shortened season. In 2023, Kamara finally put together a full year and produced at a high level, totaling 7.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss at James Madison.
He followed Cignetti to Indiana and immediately translated his production to the Power-5 level. In 2024, Kamara posted 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. His 2025 numbers dipped (7 tackles for loss, two sacks), but that was largely due to a role change, as Indiana asked him to operate more as a space-eater and disruptor rather than a primary pass rusher.
Kamara did not test particularly well during the pre-draft process. He measured in at 6 feet tall with 31-inch arms, which matched his film, but his athletic testing left more to be desired. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds with a 1.7-second mark for the 10-yard split. His jumps and short shuttle were underwhelming. While his testing wasn’t expected to be elite, teams would have ideally liked to see slightly better results
Kamara’s Strengths
Kamara’s game is anchored by his run defense, which is truly elite. He consistently sets the edge with strong leverage and functional length, while also showing the ability to kick inside and hold up against double teams. He’s slippery enough to penetrate and create negative plays, and his processing stands out—he reads blocks quickly and disrupts plays before they develop. He’s one of the better run defenders to come out in recent years.
That strength translates into real positional versatility. Kamara can align in both odd and even fronts, playing anywhere from edge to interior. Whether asked to occupy blockers or control the edge, he brings consistent value across multiple roles, making him especially appealing for defenses that vary their fronts.
As a pass rusher, Kamara relies primarily on power. He plays with a naturally low center of gravity and can collapse the pocket with a bull rush. His go-to counter is a two-hand swipe inside, allowing him to shed blocks and create interior pressure.
He also brings value to stunts and slants. While his pass rush production dipped in 2025, his role shifted significantly — he was often tasked with absorbing blocks and creating lanes for teammates. His strength allows him to execute that role effectively, and his willingness to do the dirty work speaks to an unselfish play style.
Where Kamara needs to improve
There are clear limitations to Kamara’s profile. His first step lacks explosiveness, and he doesn’t possess the bend to consistently win around the edge. While his run defense translates across schemes, his pass-rushing skillset is more specific and won’t appeal to every team — particularly those that prioritize speed and burst off the edge.
The biggest area for growth is his interior pass rushing. At Indiana, there were flashes of effectiveness when he kicked inside over guards and centers. At the next level, that may be his most viable path to consistent pass rush production. Developing a more refined interior rush plan should be a key focus for him.
How Kamara fits with the Chiefs
The Chiefs have mixed up defensive fronts more in recent years, so Kamara would be a great fit in that scheme. He could slide down to align as a 4i-technique and hold up versus double teams, or play out wide and set the edge. On third downs, Kamara would kick inside and rush from the defensive tackle position.
Kamara would be a good depth piece to add to the defensive end room. Ideally, he would be your third or fourth-best defensive end. But the defense doesn’t have a run-defending option among the depth in the room right now; Kamara would fill that role for the defensive line.
The Bottom Line
Kamara’s profile closely mirrors that of former Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna — a player who wins with toughness, intelligence, and role versatility rather than elite traits. While he may never be a high-end pass rusher, he can carve out a valuable role as a dependable early-down defender and rotational piece along the defensive line.
Players like Kamara often outplay their draft position because they do the little things well. His run defense alone gives him a clear path to sticking on an NFL roster, and if he continues to develop as an interior rusher, he has the upside to become a key contributor on a winning defensive front.
