The Buffalo Bills are showing some interest in adding a star defensive player from the Indiana Hoosiers, the reigning National Champions.
Buffalo has been focusing on adding to its defense this offseason, and that will likely be the case at the 2026 NFL Draft. With the draft just days away, the Bills have been doing their due diligence on Indiana edge rusher Mikail Kamara, according to insider Ryan Talbot of Syracuse.com.
“Per a league source, the Bills have expressed interest in Indiana EDGE Mikail Kamara,” Talbot wrote on X. “Kamara was named defensive MVP of the national championship game after recording four tackles, a sack, and a blocked punt versus Miami. He had 12 sacks in the past two seasons.”
Kamara is projected to be a Day 3 pick, but still could make an impact for the Bills in 2026 as a rotational edge rusher. And, he could chip in on special teams, as he has proven he can make an impact on the unit.
Kamara is a 6-foot-1 edge rusher who spent two years at Indiana after beginning his college career at JMU. Last season at Indiana, he recorded 34 tackles and 2 sacks. The year prior, he had 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
The Virginia native won defensive MVP in the National Championship Game as he helped Indiana beat Miami.
Mikail Kamara Draft Profile
Kamara is projected to be a fifth-round pick ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to NFLDraftBuzz.
The edge rusher showed flashes of being an impact pass rusher at the next level. But what will likely earn him a spot as a rookie is his play on special teams.
Kamara’s strength is his explosiveness, and he has a great swim move, which allows him to get after the quarterback. He’s also an effective run defender, which could lead to him being an every-down player in the NFL if he continues to develop.
However, one concern about Kamara is his size. He’s just 6-foot-1 and 265lbs, so how he will be able to handle going up against NFL offensive linemen is uncertain.
“Kamara’s path to NFL snaps runs through sub-packages and designated pass rush roles,” NFLDraftBuzz’s article read. “His burst off the line, hand usage, and ability to win with leverage rather than length give him a clear identity as a player who can pressure quarterbacks on obvious passing downs from the jump. The pass rush toolkit is advanced for a college prospect.
“He chains moves together, he has real power in his hands despite his frame, and he can bend the edge with the kind of ankle flexibility that translates. His 2024 production against Big Ten offensive lines was not a fluke of scheme or situation. The concerns are real, though. His 2025 sack numbers fell off a cliff even while he maintained strong pressure rates, and whether that reflects the shoulder issue, bad luck, or something more fundamental is worth watching. He is not a complete edge defender right now.”
With the concerns, Kamara is expected to be a Day 3 pick, and the Bills could take a flier on him.
Bills Confident Going Into NFL Draft
Buffalo has seven total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and GM Brandon Beane is confident the team can make a splash.
Beane knows the draft is huge to build contenders, and he believes the Bills will be able to find impact players.
“I definitely think there will be players day two and day three that can help us in various roles, whether it’s compet[ing] for a start [or] a really good backup,” Beane said. “… We’ll find good players with that first round pick as well. You just don’t know if you’re technically going to be selecting out of your first round. It’s early to know that.”
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Bills Reportedly Interested in Drafting Reigning National Champ Defensive MVP