Akheem Mesidor has been a member of the LA Chargers for less than a day and he's already one of the most polarizing players on the roster. His tape at the University of Miami is undeniable, but some are clinging to the fact that he's going to be 25 years old as a rookie in 2026.
Sure, this limits his long-term impact and it is a bit ironic that he's two years older than Tuli Tuipulotu, who is already an established presence, but it won't hinder Mesidor's success. In fact, Mesidor's age and abundance of college experience make him more pro-ready than a 21-year-old prospect, which is exactly what the Chargers need in this Super Bowl window.
It won't take long for the entire fanbase to love the Mesidor pick as he was truly one of the more talented players in the entire class. Don't believe us? Just ask other NFL head coaches who have absolutely no reason to lie. Revealed in a social media post by the Chargers and confirmed by Jim Harbaugh later in the night, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh considered Mesidor a top-10 player in the draft.
see y'all tmrw pic.twitter.com/7TN6RRkTIH
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 24, 2026
Chargers may have landed a top-10 prospect in Akheem Mesidor
Landing one of the 10 most talented players in the entire draft with the No. 22 pick is pretty good business. Now, of course, Mesidor has to go out and prove that label on the field, but it's still a good sign when non-affiliated head coaches are agreeing.
Is John Harbaugh just being nice to his brother? Maybe. We hope not. We hope he is spot on about how good Mesidor is.
One thing is abundantly clear, though: if Mesidor was 22 years old instead of 25 years old he would have been a top-12 pick at worst in the draft. He has the skillset of a top player and produced as such alongside Rueben Bain Jr. at Miami.
Sure, there may be some concerns about his over-reliance on winning against guards in college and how that will translate to the NFL, but that's an issue the Chargers can easily remedy. In fact, the Chargers needed someone they could kick inside as a third edge rusher alongside Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack.
Mesidor can feast on what he is already great at in his rookie year and develop the other pass-rush skills alongside two of the best in the sport. After all, Tuipulotu didn't have the most amazing pass-rush sets coming into the league. He was a work in progress, and look where he is now.
Age is a real factor in the NFL Draft, but it's one that Chargers fans can and should overlook with Mesidor specifically. Instead, listen to what both Harbaughs have to say. Based on their insight, there's a good chance Mesidor is one of the best defensive rookies in the league right away.
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