The 2026 NFL Draft is like most other years in the draft, where teams do not have 32 players with first-round grades. Typically, that number of true first-rounders is in the high teens, and as a result, some players with consensus second-round grades get drafted in the first round out of default with 32 selections. Two defensive ends who are on the bubble of the first and second rounds are Clemson’s T.J. Parker and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor. In speaking with team sources, they were divided on which one might go in the first round.
“Most teams have second round grades on TJ, but lots of guys with second round grades get taken since most teams typically have 14-18 guys slotted in the first round on their board,” said an AFC area scout. “I think he’s a solid power rusher who owns the c-gap in the run game and has youth on his side. I’m not a big Mesidor fan. Age and durability concern me, and think he’s a finished product. I think he’ll be a good role player, but not a guy I’m fired up to take in the top 40. So for me that’s back of 2/early 3, but other guys are higher on him than I am.”
Mesidor dealt with some injuries early in his college career, and he will be old for an NFL rookie. Parker had a dip in production from the 2024 season and did not produce as much pass rush in 2025. One AFC general manager said Mesidor no, but Parker maybe could be a first-rounder. Three other team sources said they did not think Parker would go in the first, but they thought Mesidor would be selected on the opening night of the draft.
In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have one of these edge rushers going in the first and the other sliding to midway through the second round. Both players are on the bubble of being opening night picks as neither one is a consensus first-round pick with NFL teams.
