The 2024 NFL Draft is here, making it an excellent time to highlight some of the class' best players with scouting reports. Each report will include strengths, weaknesses and background information.
Here's our report on Mohamed Kamara.
Colorado State's Mohamed Kamara (8) reacts during a college football game against CU at Folsom Field. (Lucas Boland/The Coloradoan-USA TODAY NETWORK)
Kamara will have an interesting projection to the next level given the contrast between his lack of ideal physical measurables and his outstanding production his last two seasons at Colorado State — particularly in terms of impact plays.
Kamara does not possess the length most teams desire in their edge pass rushers, but with the proliferation of 5-man defensive line fronts he would fit very well as a stand-up edge player (his height and weight are somewhat similar to Haason Reddick's) both in base fronts and sub fronts.
There is no question Kamara could be a pass rusher in 4-man sub fronts both from the inside as a 3-technique guy or a stand-up joker. What he did exceptionally well on tape was win to the high side with calculated and quick hand use to break down the offensive tackle's technique, then bend his inside shoulder to get past and clear the arc of the off-balance offensive tackle.
Kamara was first-step explosive off the ball with accelerating burst — and while he was not high-end bendy with motorcycle lean, he possesses efficient and compact flexibility with enough ankle flexion to defeat the offensive tackle off the edge.
One question with Kamara is whether his lack of length will become a mitigating factor at the next level vs. quality NFL offensive tackles, given that he is not a true bend-the-edge pass rusher and wins predominantly with his arsenal of hand moves and straight-line power.
A positive as you project his transition to the NFL is that he has the versatility to line up in multiple positions in sub fronts — including as a stand-up joker — and that trait could very well enhance his value.
Kamara played five years at Colorado State after coming out of New Jersey as a 3-star recruit. He played in 49 games with 33 starts, and once he was moved from linebacker to defensive end before the 2022 season, his production skyrocketed. In his final two college seasons, Kamara produced 21.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss. In 2023, he was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
He almost always lined up on the edge in Colorado State’s predominantly 4-man defensive line front, but there were snaps where he lined up inside as a stand-up joker.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!