AkheemMesidor

Mesidor is going to get dinged for being 25 years old on draft night, but it’s tough to dislike anything else about him. He’s a ruggedly built, high-energy pass rusher who plays with his hair on fire each and every snap—and the production follows. In 2025 he racked up 12.5 sacks (tied for third most nationally) and 55 pressures (ninth, per PFF). His 36 percent win rate in true pass rush situations ranked ninth best among edge players with 100-plus rushes. Mesidor is a sixth-year senior who played two years at West Virginia and another four at Miami, and brings experience lining up at just about every spot on the defensive line. He rushes with an explosive first step, firing out of his stance to quickly threaten the edge, and he likes to utilize a Euro-step move that really gives tackles trouble. He can convert speed to power on his bull rush and overwhelm tackles with brute force, but also brings an effective swim move, cross chop, and long-arm stab move. He shows good bend to shoot back into the pocket. He brings power and quick feet when rushing from the inside, giving guards trouble thanks to his first-step burst and superior leverage. Mesidor shows quick recognition of screens, instantaneously stopping his rush to chase down the target or disrupt the throwing lane and mess up timing. He’s tough and physical playing the run; he fires his hands into his opponent’s chest and stacks him, keeping his eye on the back so he can make a play. He stonewalls pulling linemen and blows up move blocks. He brings some experience dropping back into zones and shows a decent feel for spacing. 

Mesidor’s aggressive nature can be a double-edged sword at times. He will lose track of the ball when locking horns with a blocker and allow the run to spill or go through his gap. His lack of length could cause him to be viewed as a bit of a tweener type, with some teams seeing him as an edge while others project him as an interior rusher. And his age could cause teams to question his overall upside and growth trajectory. Is he maxed out where he is now, or can he continue to improve?