A tremendous defense led by defensive ends Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor led Miami to the National Championship game. In the college football playoff, Bain and Mesidor were red-hot and produced consistent pressure on the quarterback. Many in the media have projected both to be first-round picks next April, but in speaking with sources at multiple teams, they have Mesidor as a day-two prospect.
“He’s got kind of a unique body, and he’s older, so we have him as a day-two guy,” said an AFC director of player personnel. Sources at other teams echoed those same sentiments about Mesidor’s age and size. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds and having short arms, Mesidor does not have the height or length that teams like to see with their edge rushers. Next season, Mesidor will be 25, and that is old for an NFL rookie.
In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have Mesidor going to a team where he could contribute right away. Perhaps there are teams that project him to the first round, but after speaking with sources at four different teams, none of them had Mesidor as a first-round pick.
