The Los Angeles Chargers have officially taken Miami linebacker Akheem Mesidor with the 22nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mesidor had a standout College Football Playoff run, helping lead Miami all the way to the National Championship game, where they fell to Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers. Now, with Mesidor set to face Mendoza twice a year in the AFC West, a revenge storyline could already be forming.
One thing is clear: Akheem Mesidor looks like a clean replacement for Odafe Oweh in Chris O’Leary’s defense heading into the 2026 season. Because of that, O’Leary should already have a clear vision for how Mesidor will be used as a rookie.
Akheem Mesidor's skillset makes Chris O'Leary's job fitting him in much easier
Mesidor steps into a defense that doesn’t need him to be an every-down edge rusher right away. He doesn’t have to come in and produce 10 sacks or dominate against the run from day one. With Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack still anchoring the edge, Mesidor’s role can be more specialized early on.
Where he can make his impact is in the same role that helped propel Odafe Oweh to a massive payday. In three-pass-rusher sets, expect Mesidor to take advantage of the attention Tuipulotu and Mack draw on the outside. That’s where he can do the most damage early in his career.
Mesidor already has a developed pass rush repertoire that should translate quickly, especially against interior offensive linemen. His game is built more on instincts and technique than pure athleticism, which should help him adjust faster at the next level. Replacing Oweh with a player who wins with skill instead of just raw traits gives the Chargers a slightly different, but potentially more consistent, profile in that role.
The blueprint for success is already there. Jesse Minter used that third rusher role effectively, and O’Leary, coming from the same system, should be able to replicate it. That gives Mesidor a clear path to contributing right away, even if his snap count stays in the 25–30 range early in the season.
While Mesidor may not be viewed as a typical “steal” due to his age and past injury concerns, he is still a dynamic player whose fit in this defense is easy to see. Being drafted into a defined role with a clear plan is one of the best situations a rookie pass rusher can ask for. The Chargers and their coaching staff should be able to put him in position to succeed from the start.
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