The buzz surrounding the San Francisco 49ers’ controversial 2026 NFL Draft has died down a bit and may not be quite as loud as the hum of the electrical substation that made so many headlines last season.
But what hasn’t drawn as much attention is the crop of undrafted free agents San Francisco signed following the draft.
One player in particular, Mikail Kamara out of Indiana, is seen as a player who could have an impact for the Niners even though he was not drafted.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner picked one UDFA to watch from every NFL team, and he selected Kamara for the Niners. He noted Kamara's lack of size and quickness but also wrote:
"He does, however, have terrific short-area quickness with outstanding hands and a high-powered motor that never seems to slow down. He constantly got the job done at Indiana (and at James Madison before that), be it rushing inside or off the edge."
It’s no secret to anyone the 49ers could use a defensive lineman or two who can get to the quarterback. The Niners finished last in the NFL in sacks last season, and injuries certainly played a large role in that, but getting to the quarterback has been an issue for quite a while.
They’ve burned some early picks on guys who didn’t pan out, so maybe it would be fitting if a guy who wasn’t drafted at all ends up being an answer in the pass rush.
Kamara does have some solid numbers in college. He had 10 sacks in his junior year of college at Indiana but had just two last season. That dip in productivity, combined with his lack of size and speed, is why he didn’t get drafted, but maybe he is a diamond in the rough.
The Niners will use all the help they can get on the D-line. Getting a healthy Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams back will be huge, but Bosa is still the only proven edge rusher San Francisco has. The 49ers drafted Romello Height in the second round, so he will get a chance to prove himself as well, but if Kamara distinguishes himself in training camp, then he should get ample opportunities.
Every year, the 49ers seemingly try a new edge rusher opposite Bosa to see if they finally found an adequate complement. Kamara will have to impress if he wants to even make the roster, but the Niners are due to get some good luck and hit on an edge rusher at some point.
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