The Buccaneers’ desperate need for a pass rush will require some level of investment in the 2026 NFL Draft, but when will that come?
If it comes within the top 5o, a name that will merit some discussion is Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, who really took off in 2025 as a part of a College Football Championship-contending Hurricanes team. Let’s see if the Bucs would be a good fit for him.
Akheem Mesidor’s Collegiate Career
A native of Ottawa, Canada, Mesidor has traversed a long, winding path to get to this point.
After bouncing around several
schools in Canada to maximize his football potential, he eventually transferred to Clearwater Academy International in Florida in 2019 and put himself on the map with 10 sacks and four forced fumbles. As a 3-star recruit, he received several Power 5 offers and eventually settled on West Virginia.
He played on the interior with Mountaineers and showed solid productivity in 23 games (14 starts), recording 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He decided to pursue a better developmental environment and transferred to Miami, where he struggled with foot injuries over multiple years before flourishing as a full-time edge in 2025 under Hall of Famer Jason Taylor’s tutelage.
As a super senior, he led the team (and entire ACC) in sacks with 12.5, as well as leading Miami in tackles for loss (17.5) and forced fumbles (4). He earned second-team All-American honors and first-team All-ACC.
Pro Day and Scouting Combine
The 25-year-old measured in at roughly 6-foot-3, 260 pounds between the Scouting Combine and his pro day, and he also clocked in with 32 1/2” arms, an 80” wingspan, and 10” hands. Mesidor did not participate in any type of testing during the pre-draft process, so his Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is not known. He did take part in on-field drills for scouts at the Miami Pro Day.
Given his advanced age (he turned 25 earlier this month) and history of injuries, not having any athletic testing on record is an interesting choice for a player who could use fewer red flags on his résumé.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Mesidor plays like a good-quality athlete, showing impressive burst and flexibility on tape with regularity. At the very least, it’s clear he is a not a bad athlete.
What Mesidor Brings to the Buccaneers in 2026
The main appeal of Mesidor’s prospect profile is that he is a turn-key pass rusher who should command a good share of snaps from Week 1, and in that sense the Buccaneers could certainly use that.
Mesidor’s toolbox is impressively deep for a prospect, as he attacks outside and inside with a variety of moves and counters. His blend of Euro steps, cross-chops, and club-rips are a treat to watch, and even better is seeing how he effectively deploys them depending on the situation. Combine that with his naturally strong build and sheer determination, and you have the makings of a terrorizer with alignment versatility.
He’s polished in the run game as well, demonstrating the capability to set a firm edge, disengage from blockers, and sniff out misdirection.
Put that all together, and there’s no reason Mesidor shouldn’t be starting opposite Yaya Diaby for the Buccaneers early on, with new signing Al-Quadin Muhammad and 2025 draft pick David Walker providing solid depth. That’s definitely a rotation worth feeling good about.
Three-Year Outlook
Because of how old he is, Mesidor needs to hit the ground running if he wants to be an impactful presence during his rookie deal, which will see him celebrating his 30th birthday if he plays out his fifth-year option.
Within the first three seasons, you need to see a consistent starter at least in the vein of Diaby production-wise. For reference, that would mean average 5-7 sacks per season while offering consistent pressures and pass rush win rates.
A valid question is how much of Mesidor’s potential remains untapped. His best college season came as someone significantly older and more experienced than a vast majority of his peers. He also played opposite of potential top-10 pick Rueben Bain Jr., which doesn’t disqualify his own production but does make it worth contextualizing.
Double foot surgery is a major concern for any front-7 player given their larger sizes, and the Bucs have already endured so many struggles with staying healthy on defense.
Your ideal outlook is getting a player whose breakout as a full-time edge was just the beginning, and whose injuries are one-off blips. If that holds true, there’s no reason Mesidor can’t be a consistently impactful starter who flirts with 10-sack seasons sooner rather than later.
Stock Report
Mesidor is generally heralded as a first-round caliber prospect.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler rates Mesidor as his 28th overall player and fifth overall edge rusher.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also rated Mesidor a first-round value as his EDGE5. Zierlein commented, “Mesidor is an instinctive, high-effort edge rusher with a fluid rush style and a deep toolbox. He bursts upfield and can shrink the corner while punishing oversetting tackles with inside counters. He strings moves together with effortless mid-rush adjustments, utilizing harmonious hands and feet to carve efficient tracks into the pocket.”
While the talent is Day 1 worthy, the age, injury woes, and questionable athletic profile could always induce a slide. Mesidor making it into Round 2 wouldn’t be the craziest outcome, but top 50 feels assured regardless.
On the Clock…
There you have it, Bucs Nation. Would you like to see the Buccaneers take a chance on Mesidor with 15th overall. Or, would you like to see a possible trade-down in Round 1 where they acquire extra draft capital and still find the opportunity to select him at better value? Discuss in the comments below!
