The fifth round of the NFL Draft has often been a goldmine for the Miami Dolphins, especially when it comes to finding talent at the linebacker position. Notable past picks include Bryan Cox in 1991, a future three-time Pro Bowler selected at No. 113 overall, and Zach Thomas, a Hall of Famer chosen at No. 154 overall in 1996. More recently, the Dolphins picked Andrew Van Ginkel at No. 151 in 2019.
This year, the Dolphins have high hopes for their latest fifth-round selection, Mohamed Kamara, a standout from Colorado State. Kamara joins the team after an impressive collegiate career, highlighted by a 13-sack season that capped off his time at CSU.
Earlier in the draft, Miami secured another linebacker, Chop Robinson from Penn State, with their first-round pick at No. 21 overall. The selection of Kamara deepens an already promising group of incoming talent at the linebacker position for the Dolphins.
Kamara, who racked up 30.5 sacks and 45.5 tackles for loss during his five-year college career, also earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in his final season. He brings a combination of speed, strength, and tenacity to the Dolphins’ defense, although his size at 6’1, 248 pounds might be considered slightly undersized for the NFL.
Despite this, Kamara’s athletic performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he recorded a 4.57 40-yard dash—the third fastest among edge rushers—underscores his potential. Ahead of him were only Chop Robinson (4.48) and Dallas Turner (4.46), both first-round picks.
As Kamara transitions to the professional level, he will have the opportunity to learn from Shaq Barrett, a seasoned pass rusher and fellow CSU alum, who joined the Dolphins as a free agent. This mentorship could be crucial as Kamara looks to refine his skills under the guidance of Miami’s new defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver.
The road ahead won’t be easy, especially considering that the Dolphins already boast a strong pair of edge rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, although both are currently rehabbing from injuries and will start the 2024 season on the PUP list. This situation could, however, provide Kamara, along with Robinson, the chance to step up and contribute early in their NFL careers.
As the rookies integrate, the return of Phillips and Chubb will solidify a formidable group that also includes Barrett. This depth will be vital as the Dolphins look to rotate their edge rushers to keep the pressure high throughout the season.
With everything set, Kamara’s challenge will be to live up to the legacy of successful fifth-round linebackers who have thrived with the Miami Dolphins. If history repeats itself, Kamara could very well be the next big name in that distinguished list.