American Football

FILM | The Miami Dolphins may have found another mid-round gem in Colorado State EDGE Mohamed Kamara

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NCAA Football: San Diego State at Colorado State
Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

With the 158th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select…

It seems like every year, the Miami Dolphins and General Manager Chris Grier seem to stumble upon a mid-round gem or rookie undrafted free agent who comes in early, competes, and inevitably makes the roster. Slot cornerback Kader Kohou is the most recent example of an undrafted acorn finding success at the next level. But historically, it was always the mid-rounds where Grier and his staff would find quality starters.

Some examples that immediately come to mind include defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (5th round), linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (5th round), and tight end Durham Smythe (4th round). Now, the Dolphins may have just stumbled upon their next mid-round gem in Colorado State pass rusher Mohamed Kamara, but don’t take my word for it; see for yourself.

Here’s my film breakdown on Miami Dolphins pass-rusher Mohamed Kamara.

// ICYMI //

Biography

Name: Mohamed Kamara

Height: 6 ‘ 1”

Weight: 248 lbs.

Arm: 32 3/8”

Hand: 8 5/8”

40 Time: 4.57

10-yard Split: 1.58

2023 Stats: 56 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup.

What the Scouts are Saying…

// “Mohamed Kamara could be a solid pass-rusher in the NFL. He was highly productive over the last three seasons at Colorado State with 28 sacks while rushing from several different alignments. He has decent quickness and some nuance as a rusher to go along with a nice rip move and a relentless motor.

Against the run, Kamara has a few strengths that stand out. He takes on blocks with good leverage, gets under pullers as the spill player in run fits and stays close to the heel line when unblocked to help make tackles from the backside versus zone runs. However, he struggles to shed blocks and likely won’t be much of a factor on early downs in the NFL.” – Matt Holder, Bleacher Report” //

// “At 6-foot-1 and 248 pounds, Kamara’s frame has been a point of contention, drawing concerns regarding his ability to stack up against the NFL’s larger offensive linemen. Yet, his combine performance and collegiate production offer a counter-narrative; Kamara leverages his size as an advantage, utilizing superior leverage and a low center of gravity to disrupt backfield operations. His ability to convert speed to power, combined with an aggressive hand-fighting technique and a relentless motor, positions him as a versatile edge threat capable of contributing in a rotational capacity from day one.

However, translating collegiate success to the NFL requires more than just physical prowess; it demands refinement and adaptability. Kamara’s reliance on a power-based rush and occasional lapses in edge discipline highlight areas for development. Teams looking for an immediate impact player in pass-rush situations will find Kamara’s skill set enticing, particularly if they can harness his raw athleticism and mold his technique to leverage against the sophisticated blocking schemes of the NFL.” – NFL Draft Buzz” //

// “Broadly built edge defender with substandard traits but lights-out production over the last couple of seasons. Kamara won’t be everyone’s cup of tea due to his lack of length and tendency to rely heavily upon his power. He gets into the pocket with violent hands, lower-body drive power and a relentless desire to meet the quarterback. He’ll have to prove he can circumvent long-limbed technicians on the next level, which could be a challenge. He’s not a classic edge-setter against the run but does a nice job of playing under blockers and sneaking into the gaps. He might drop some on draft day due to the measurables, but the kind of will to conquer he’s shown typically translates in the NFL.” –Lance Zierlein, NFL.com” //

What the Houtz is Saying…

The first thing you’ll notice when watching Mo Kamara play is his size. He’s not the biggest defensive end in the game, and it has caused many ‘experts’ to wonder if he could even make it at the next level. This is wild because one glance at the film shows that Kamara has the dog in him. No, he doesn’t have the #elite first step of a Chop Robinson or the size of his new teammates Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, but Kamara can absolutely play. And based on the tape, he can beat opposing linemen with brute strength or speed, showcasing the ability to bend effortlessly around the EDGE.

In the run game, Kamara has some stuff to work on, but there’s also a lot to like. For example, Miami’s newest pass-rusher has no issues taking on double teams or trying to blow up a block to open up an opportunity for his teammates. He also plays with a relentless motor, which appears to be an absolute must when the Dolphins bring in a new EDGE under McDaniel. There were times when Colorado State got creative and moved him around — similar to what you may have seen from Manny Diaz and Penn State with Robinson.

I promised myself that moving forward, I wouldn’t get hyped about some of the later draft picks because, in the past, I’ve been left with nothing but disappointment and regret. That said, it’s hard not to see Kamara’s tape and the role he could potentially develop over the years as a rotational piece in Miami’s defense.

FILM

Games Watched: Colorado, Utah State, Nevada, and Shrine Bowl.

Conclusion

For a team that desperately needed to retool the defensive line and add a handful of pass-rushers this offseason, GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel knocked it out of the park (IMO). First, the team signed a handful of capable players in free agency and then landed explosive pass-rusher Chop Robinson in round one. They then followed that pickup with the selection of Mohamed Kamara in round four.

Sure, there’s no guarantee he will come in and make an impact on day one (as a rotational piece, or at all TBQH), but when watching the film and listening to Kamara claim that he’d seek revenge on every team that passed on him, it’s hard to bet against him. Add in how uber-productive he was over the last three seasons at Colorado State (28 sacks) — earning him the 2023 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year — and Mo Kamara may follow in the footsteps of another CSU legend in veteran Shaq Barrett. We know he’ll certainly have the supporting cast and coaching staff to help make his dreams a reality.

What are your thoughts on the Mohamed Kamara draft pick? Do you think he’ll have a role in Anthony Weaver’s defense? Could he be the next great Miami Dolphins mid-round draft pick? Let us know in the comments section below!

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