2026 NFL Draft Profile: DE Akheem Mesidor (Miami) - DAY 2 STEAL?
Mesidor is too quick for most Guards to block one-on-one. He uses his first-step explosiveness to penetrate the “B-Gap” instantly, flushing the quarterback out of the pocket
January 10th, 2026 | 9:06pm
BIO & BACKGROUND
Akheem Mesidor (6-3, 265 lbs) is a native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, who first made a name for himself as a relentless defender at Clearwater Academy International in Florida. A former three-star recruit, Mesidor began his collegiate career at West Virginia, where he earned Freshman All-American honors before transferring to Miami in 2022 to elevate his competition level.
His tenure in Coral Gables has been a test of resilience. After a breakout 2022 season, his 2023 campaign was wiped out by a significant foot injury that limited him to just two games. Mesidor attacked his rehabilitation with a professional focus, returning in 2024 and exploding in 2025 as the senior leader of a ferocious Hurricanes front. Now a sixth-year senior, Mesidor brings a wealth of experience and a “grown man” physical profile to the draft, though his age is a noted outlier—he will turn 25 years old just weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION 2025
Mesidor’s final collegiate season was a masterclass in efficiency and disruption. Playing opposite Rueben Bain Jr., Mesidor capitalized on single-blocking schemes to produce career-best numbers.
Total Tackles: 60 (36 Solo)
Sacks: 10.5
Tackles for Loss: 15.5
Forced Fumbles: 4
Pass Rush Win Rate: 21% (Top Tier for Power Rushers)
While his sack totals are impressive, his consistency stands out most. Mesidor recorded at least one tackle for loss in 10 different games this season, proving he is not a “feast or famine” player but a steady disruptor who lives in the opponent’s backfield.
CFB PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE (2025/2026)
Mesidor saved his best football for the biggest stage, elevating his stock significantly during Miami’s College Football Playoff run.
vs. Texas A&M (First Round): A career-defining performance where he logged 11 quarterback pressures—the second-most ever recorded in a CFP game. He finished with 1.5 sacks and 5 total tackles, essentially wrecking the Aggies’ game plan single-handedly.
vs. Ohio State (Semifinal): Continued his dominance with 2 sacks, consistently collapsing the pocket against NFL-caliber offensive tackles.
Cumulative Impact: In the playoff tournament alone, he has tallied 3.5 sacks and nearly 15 total pressures, proving he can dominate elite competition when the stakes are highest.
SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS
Inside-Outside Versatility: A true “chess piece” lineman who can set the edge on first down and kick inside to a 3-technique on third down. He plays with the leverage of a tackle and the burst of an end.
Violent Hands: Possesses heavy, active hands that shock blockers at the point of attack. He excels at the “swipe and rip” maneuver to clear offensive linemen quickly.
Playoff Riser: His elite production in the CFP proves he does not shrink in big moments; he plays with a heightened intensity in “must-win” scenarios.
Run Defense Integrity: Unlike many “speed” rushers, Mesidor is stout at the point of attack, effectively stacking and shedding blocks to stuff run lanes.
DEVELOPING AREAS (Growth Opportunities)
Age Profile (RISK): Will be 25 years old during his rookie season. This significantly lowers his ceiling in the eyes of scouts, as he will be nearing 30 by the time he reaches a potential second contract.
Injury History: The major foot injury that cost him the 2023 season remains a red flag that will require thorough medical checks at the Combine.
Length Limitations: Lacks elite arm length for a pure perimeter edge rusher. He relies on technique and motor rather than physical traits like “bend” or reach to win reps.
FILM STUDY
Mesidor’s tape against Texas A&M is a teaching tape for “high-motor” play. He consistently wins with a quick first step and a relentless second effort. On stunts and twists, he shows high football IQ, perfectly timing his loops to arrive at the quarterback just as the pocket collapses. However, on reps where he fails to win early with power, he can get washed out by longer tackles, struggling to disengage once an offensive lineman latches onto his chest plate. I am very interested in where his sarm length and ape index measure up at the combine.
Side Note: These are highlights for the reader - not the film I study
Mesidor Scheme Fit Analysis
The Scheme: 4-2-5 “ESV” Defense
Under Corey Hetherman (hired from Minnesota), Miami runs a 4-2-5 base defense. While the previous coordinator (Lance Guidry) also utilized a 4-2-5, Hetherman’s philosophy is distinct in its application.
Philosophy (”ESV”): Hetherman preaches a style he calls “ESV” (Explosive, Swarming, Violent). The goal is to simplify assignments to allow players to play fast and eliminate the “busts” (big plays given up) that plagued Miami in previous years.
Front Structure: The scheme relies on a four-man front (4 down linemen) to generate organic pressure without needing to blitz heavily on every down. This allows the back seven to focus on coverage complexity.
The “Star” Position: The 5th defensive back is often a hybrid safety/nickel corner (sometimes referred to as the “Star”), giving the defense speed to match modern spread offenses while keeping enough size in the box for run support.
Funny isn’t it, if you have been watching my content, you will hear the term “HIVE DEFENSE” often. A defensive scheme I used to teach that emphasizes the mentality of swarming to the ball as a unit, high effort and unselfish play with one common goal. Stop the offense at all costs, leave individual stats to the divas in Chicago, and make plays for your teammate to win Detroit.
Akheem Mesidor’s Assignments
In Miami’s scheme, Akheem Mesidor is the “Chess Piece” of the defensive line. While technically listed as a Defensive End (DE), his role is far more versatile than a traditional edge rusher. He is tasked with being a “gap disruptor” rather than just a containment system.
Primary Alignment: Strong-Side Defensive End (5-Technique)
Assignment: Line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle.
Role: His primary job is to set the hard edge against the run, forcing running backs back inside toward the linebackers. Because he is heavier (approx. 280 lbs) than a pure speed rusher, he is tasked with physically collapsing the pocket rather than just running around it.
The “Reduction” Role (Sliding Inside)
Assignment: On passing downs (3rd & Long), Hetherman kicks Mesidor inside to a 3-technique (alignment between the Guard and Tackle) or even a Nose Tackle (over the Center) in “Nascar” packages (speed rush packages).
Role: This creates a mismatch. Mesidor is too quick for most Guards to block one-on-one. He uses his first-step explosiveness to penetrate the “B-Gap” instantly, flushing the quarterback out of the pocket—often directly into the arms of fellow rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Stunts and Twists (The T-E Stunt)
Assignment: Mesidor is frequently the “crasher” in stunt games.
Role: He will slant hard inside to occupy two blockers (the Tackle and Guard), freeing up a looping linebacker or another defensive lineman to come free around the edge. His ability to absorb contact and stay upright is critical for these schemes to work.
DETROIT LIONS COMPATIBILITY: SCHEME & FIT
Scheme Fit: Mesidor thrived in an “ESV” (Excitement, Swarm, Violence) 4-2-5 system. Hetherman used Mesidor as a “Chess Piece,” aligning him at a 5-technique on base downs to set a hard edge, then reducing him to a 3-technique or 4i on passing downs to exploit slower guards.
This usage translates seamlessly to Kelvin Sheppard’s defense in Detroit. Sheppard, who values “positionless” rushers, would deploy Mesidor in the exact role previously occupied by Josh Paschal, Tyrus Wheat, Marcus Davenport or Levi Onwuzurike. Mesidor is not a “Nascar” speed rusher; he is a power end who allows the Lions to run 4-man pressure packages without sacrificing run integrity. His experience in Hetherman’s stunt-heavy front makes him a Day 1 plug-and-play option.
Culture & Identity Mesidor fits the “Dan Campbell Criteria” to a tee. He is a gritty, high-effort player who overcame a serious injury to become a team captain. His willingness to play special teams and do the “dirty work” (taking on double teams to free up linebackers) aligns perfectly with the Lions’ “No Turds” locker room policy, but there is more to this player that should be recognized.
THE CANADIAN: A “DAN CAMPBELL” MENTALITY
Mesidor’s journey is defined by a specific kind of hunger that Dan Campbell covets. A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Mesidor realized early that staying in Canada would limit his ceiling. In a move that mirrors the “bet on yourself” mentality of the Lions’ roster, he left his family and country to transfer to Clearwater Academy International in Florida for his senior year. He didn’t run from competition; he ran toward it, seeking out the hardest path possible to prove he belonged in the trenches with American talent.
This transition wasn’t just about geography; it was about “Grit.” He went from being a big fish in a small pond to fighting for scraps in the hotbed of Florida high school football. This willingness to uproot his life for the game proves he loves football more than the lifestyle—a core prerequisite for Detroit. He isn’t a pampered five-star recruit; he is a grinder who crossed a border to earn his respect, fitting perfectly into a locker room built on players who have had to scratch and claw for every opportunity.
Mesidor Is A Detroit 5-Star “GRIT FIT” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ANALYSIS & QUOTES
The Age Factor: “The lingering concern with Mesidor is his age... He’ll be 25 when the draft happens. I love the player, but I think that’s going to factor into how high Mesidor goes.” ~ Field Yates, ESPN
Playoff Dominance: “Akheem Mesidor’s 11 QB Pressures vs Texas A&M were the 2nd most EVER by a player in a College Football Playoff game.” ~ PFF College
The Draft Value: “He could definitely sneak into round one if he kills the combine... He’s a playmaker.” ~ Reddit NFL Draft Analysis
The Closer: “With back to back sacks to close out Notre Dame. Has inside out ability. Keep his name on your radars along with Rueben Bain Jr.!” ~ Devon Jackson, Inquirer
Resume: “Despite being a sixth-year senior, Mesidor may not have the most impressive resume, but his performance against Notre Dame certainly caught the attention of many.” ~ Denny, NFL Mock Draft Database
DRAFT PROJECTION
Measurables:
Height: 6’3” | Weight: 275 lbs | Arm Length: 33.25” (Est) | Hands: 9.75” (Est)
40-Yard Dash (Est): 4.75s (ESTIMATED)
NFL Analysts Consensus Round Projection: Mid 1st Round
Rock’s Locks Draft Projection: Mid To Late 2nd Round
Consensus Draft Slot - January 10th, 2026
NFL Comparison
Denico Autry / Byron Young / Kobie Turner
Rationale: Akheem Mesidor serves as a fascinating midpoint between the Rams’ two 2023 breakout rookies. Mesidor is a “tweener” who uses power and length to disrupt from multiple alignments. He may not have the elite bend of a premier edge rusher, but his ability to collapse the pocket from the interior makes him valuable.
The Byron Young Connection (The Age Factor): Much like Byron Young, Mesidor enters the draft as an “older” prospect (25 years old) who will be knocked by age-guardrail scouts. However, Young proved that a 25-year-old rookie with a relentless motor can provide immediate impact because they are physically fully developed. Mesidor shares Young’s “hair-on-fire” pursuit style and the maturity to contribute instantly, validating that drafting “grown men” is a viable strategy for contending teams.
The Kobie Turner Connection (The Leverage & Hands): When Mesidor slides inside to 3-technique, he mirrors Kobie Turner. Neither possesses the prototypical mass of a traditional defensive tackle, but both win with superior leverage, “violent hands,” and a quick first step that guards struggle to mirror. Like Turner, Mesidor uses his lack of height as a weapon, getting under the pads of offensive linemen to disrupt the pocket from the interior. He is effectively the “missing link” between Young’s edge speed and Turner’s interior disruption.
Team Fits
Detroit Lions: A plug-and-play rotational piece who fits the culture and scheme instantly. The Lions need to get younger, more violent turning the roster over from the duds of 2021 & 2022 drafts.
Miami Dolphins: Could look to keep the local talent to bolster their defensive front rotation. Name a position the Dolphins don’t need.
San Francisco 49ers: Typically value versatile linemen who can play inside-out in their wide-9 scheme. Pairing up with Mykel Williams in 2026 could be lethal.
FINAL TAKE
Akheem Mesidor is a “high-floor, low-ceiling” prospect who is ready to contribute to an NFL defense from Day 1. While his age (25 as a rookie) effectively caps his draft stock outside the top 20, it also suggests he is a fully developed product who won’t require years of coaching.
For a team competing for a championship in 2026, Mesidor is an attractive target on Day 2 for the Detroit Lions. He won’t be a 15-sack superstar, but he projects as a 6-to-8 sack starter who sets a hard edge, pushes the pocket, and embodies the toughness required to win in January. If the Lions can somehow jump up and grab him in the 3rd round, it would be a steal that immediately upgrades their defensive line rotation.
WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTION:
Brad Holmes gets his guys, he has proven this every draft. I do not see Mesidor cracking the 1st round yet, and I want to emphasize that there is way too much work left between January 10th and April 26th to settle on a mocked target range. With that said, should Mesidor test well in the agility portion of pro days and the combine, with above average ape index (1.05), wingspan (79” +), hand size (9.25” +) and a solid forty time sub 4.85 - his stock will rise swiftly.
If Mesidor checks all the boxes there is no reason why Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell wouldn’t want this guy in the building. The second round may be a little rich for the Lions needs this season, if Mesidor is available in the 3rd round and the Lions can move up from the 4th, expect the name to be called.
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