Akheem Mesidor — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

After signing Bradley Chubb in free agency, the Bills get the young pass-rush juice they need in Mesidor. The former Miami star will be a 25-year-old rookie, but his extensive college experience and production level indicates that he could be a Day 1 contributor for Buffalo. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Mesidor had 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss for the Hurricanes in 2025.

An improved pass rush is a must for Tampa Bay after it tied for 18th in total sacks last season (37) and lost defensive end Logan Hall in free agency. The relentless Mesidor would help achieve that goal, coming off a College Football Playoff run where he had 5.5 sacks in four games.

Mesidor was primarily a defensive tackle at West Virginia before reshaping his body and skill set to play largely from the edge at Miami. He has an impressive get-off and nuance as a rusher. While he turns 25 before the draft, most view him as a top-15 player off ability alone.

The Dolphins need pass-rush help, so they can take the local product to liven up their pressure. He's older at 25, but he would be a nice addition to their defense.

The 49ers like taking wide receivers and defensive linemen in the first round and — would you look at that! — those are among their biggest needs this year. We have the team going with Akheem Mesidor, a powerfully built edge rusher who had 12.5 sacks and 17 .5 tackles for loss last season and made his biggest marks against top-end talent in the playoffs. Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was oh-so-tempting at this spot, and it's entirely possible Kyle Shanahan would be unable to resist snagging him here (the 49ers will host Cooper on a visit next month). The rationale, however, is that there will be more enticing wideouts — Germie Bernard? Ted Hurst? Elijah Sarratt? — than edge rushers available when San Francisco's on the clock again late in Round 2. — Matt Barrows

This pick doesn't need much more explanation other than the fact that the Lions don't have many pass rushers on their roster right now. They are razor thin at defensive end outside of Aidan Hutchinson, almost to the point where they have to take an edge rusher with this pick. Mesidor is a bit hit-or-miss on a down-to-down basis and turns 25 before the draft, but he has a chance to be a contributor in the NFL or even a legitimate, consistent threat off the edge if he hits the ground running. The Lions have to try something.

He will be 25 by draft night but could provide instant production — for a team that should be an instant contender and is in win-now mode — after leading the ACC with 12½ sacks in 2025, including 5½ in the CFP. YaYa Diaby was the only Buc with more than 4½ sacks last season, and recently signed Al-Quadin Muhammad is only under contract for one year.

Tampa Bay lands a productive pass rusher (35.5 college sacks, including 12.5 with Miami last season) who can set the tone off the edge with his physical play.

The Eagles have drafted so well to the point that they're victims of their own success. Philadelphia has lost some talent in its defensive front seven over the past couple of offseasons, and it has some more defensive players it needs to extend soon. That said, Mesidor was outstanding for Miami in its playoff run.