Most projections have the New Orleans Saints selecting an edge rusher early in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is a position that also has surprising depth this year. One extremely productive player that could even slip into Day 3 is Mikail Kamara of the national champion Indiana Hoosiers, making him a potential draft steal.
New Orleans had productive edge rushers in 2025. While Chase Young is only 27 and coming off his best season though, franchise legend Cam Jordan turns 37 and is still unsigned and Carl Granderson is best as a rotational player. It's for that reason why the position is considered a need for the Saints. While it's likely they address it early on, don't overlook Kamara as a player who could be a tremendous steal for the team that drafts him.
The regional defensive player of the year out of Stone Bridge High School in Virginia, Kamara stayed in-state with the James Madison Dukes for his collegiate start. Covid kept his 2020 freshman season to six games and injury short-circuited Kamara's 2021 season and limited his 2022 campaign to only five games. In those five contests, he'd record an impressive 4 sacks and a forced fumble. Kamara was a force for the Dukes in 2023, recording 7.5 sacks along with 18.5 tackles for loss among 53 total stops while forcing 4 fumbles.
In 2024, Kamara followed teammates Elijah Sarratt and Kaelon Black in following coach Curt Cignetti to the Indiana Hoosiers from James Madison. Kamara was magnificent that season, leading the Hoosiers with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in earning 1st Team All-Big Ten and 3rd Team All-American recognition. In 2025, Kamara was one of the few players who may have actually hurt their draft stock in returning to the Hoosiers for their national championship run. He was credited with over 50 pressures, but had only 2 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. Kamara did end on a high note, getting named the CFP Defensive Player of the Game in Indiana's national title game win over the Miami Hurricanes.
Outstanding effort through the whistle on every play
Gets overwhelmed by bigger blockers or double teams
Major liability in coverage from a stand-up position
Despite major college production, Kamara is expected to be available possibly into the middle stages of Day 3. Most teams are likely to shy away from his shorter stature early on, with his shoulder issues and 2025 drop in productivity not helping. What Kamara has going for him, and why he has the chance to be a draft steal, is his ferocious style of play, natural pass rushing skills, and underrated ability to play the run.
Most believe that Mikail Kamara is a "tweener" that's too small to be a down lineman and lacks the length/speed combination to be a stand-up rusher. For a team like the Saints, Kamara would fit as a stand-up LB in their 3-4 fronts. If brought on as a Day 3 choice, his playing style could earn him a rotational role with an upside and shot at making other teams regret a decision to pass on him.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Indiana Hoosiers edge Mikail Kamara scouting report