Where Miami's Ahkeem Mesidor could land in 2026 NFL Draft, latest mocks

Akheem Mesidor is not just the second of two Miami pass rushers in this draft. While he does not possess the raw strength and power of Rueben Bain Jr, those aspects are still first round worthy in Mesidor. He also has a varied set of tools. He understands how to attack a blocker and consistently finds success. 

There are concerns though. Mesidor is already 25 years old, not a trait NFL teams get excited about. The age creates an issue with long-term development and the shelf life of a playing career. He also lacks elite measurables. At 6'2, 260 he's not small, but he doesn't have the length teams look for. 

Mesidor could be a revisit the tape prospect. Excluding the 2024 injury season, Mesidor has 25 sacks and 37 tackles for loss in three seasons. 

Here's a look at where Mesidor is projected to land in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Akheem Mesidor NFL Draft projections

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr - Outside the first round

The Ringer's Todd McShay - No. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mesidor’s age, past durability issues, and lack of ideal length are factors to consider. But while Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey are more skilled (and Bain is more well-rounded), Mesidor might be the most polished, ready-to-rush-the-QB edge in this class. There’s so much violence and tenaciousness on tape, and he loves being on the field (played a whopping 878 snaps in 2025). Plus, I like that he played his most impactful ball in the CFP, recording 5.5 sacks in four games.

NFL Network's Rhett Lewis - No. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs haven’t had a player hit the eight-sack mark since Shaq Barrett registered 10 in 2021. Mesidor is an absolute force to be reckoned with off the edge and should provide a big-time pass-rush presence in Tampa.

ESPN's Peter Schrager - No. 20 Dallas Cowboys

Mesidor is one of the older players in this class, having just turned 25 years old, but he also might be the prospect most ready to make an immediate impact. He was an absolute menace for Miami, and he'd immediately become one of Dallas' top pass rushers off the edge. Mesidor tallied 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025.

Yahoo Sports' - Outside the first round

CBS Sports' Garrett Podell - No. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Akheem Mesidor, who will turn 25 this year, is a plug-and-play contributor. He ranked top five nationally in sacks (12.5, tied for third in the FBS), tackles for loss (17.5, tied for fifth) and quarterback pressures (67, tied for fourth) in 2025 opposite Reuben Bain at Miami. The Buccaneers could easily reclaim the NFC South crown in 2026 after the Carolina Panthers ended their four-year division title streak in 2025, and Mesidor will give Tampa Bay some much-needed pass production.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler Big Board ranking - No. 5 EDGE

Mesidor won’t be universally loved because of his age and injury history, but he is a disruptive force off the edge who is always playing 100 mph. He projects as a three-down NFL starter, with interior value on subpackages.

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