We can debate endlessly about what the Los Angeles Chargers needed at offensive guard in the 2026 NFL Draft. But one thing is absolutely certain. They needed a league-ready pass rusher to slide in alongside Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, and they got that in Akheem Mesidor.
Mesidor, who was selected at 22nd overall by Los Angeles, is coming off an excellent final season on one of the most formidable defensive lines in the country at the University of Miami. Across 15 games, he totaled 12.5 sacks, 55 total pressures, and 17.5 tackles for loss, per Pro Football Focus.
There are, admittedly, concerns about his ceiling at the NFL level given his age and how much of his production can likely be attributed to the presence of Rueben Bain Jr. He's already turned 25, and he'll be 30 by the time his rookie contract comes to an end.
But there are no questions surrounding his ability to be an immediate contributor for an NFL defense. Ben Solak at ESPN, in his list of candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year, doesn't put Mesidor among the top contenders. But he does assign him 'long shot' status, making him one of four edge rushers to slot into the top-two tiers on Solak's list.
Although Solak believes that Mesidor's spot as a rotational edge rusher could limit his upside for the award, the Chargers' most exciting rookie has a better case than even Solak realizes.
Akheem Mesidor won't be a Rookie of the Year favorite, but he has a serious shot at being among this class's top first-year talents
Here's what Solak had to say about Mesidor's chances for the award:
"Mesidor figures to be the Edge 3 behind Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Perhaps that means he brings fresh legs onto the field on pass-rush downs and accumulates sacks while that spectacular Chargers secondary forces quarterbacks to hold the ball. However, the more likely scenario is that the rotation limits too many of his opportunities. I'm not buying it." Ben Solak, ESPN
In fairness, Mesidor will not receive the sheer amount of pure edge-rushing opportunities that someone like Bain, David Bailey, or Arvell Reese will in their first seasons in the NFL. But one of Mesidor's most attractive traits as a prospect is his ability to line up inside when necessary.
Although he obviously played the vast majority of his snaps in 2025 lined up outside the offensive tackles, he took a solid portion lined up over the tackle or even as a pure inside rusher. That versatility, if it plays at the NFL level, will allow him extra snaps and opportunities to disrupt passing plays even with both Mack and Tuipulotu on the field.
The role that Odafe Oweh carved out alongside Los Angeles' two alpha pass-rushers also cannot be forgotten. While Oweh began his Chargers tenure with Mack still sidelined with his mid-season arm injury, he still amassed 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss during the 11 games he played with both Mack and Tuipulotu active.
Los Angeles' selection of Mesidor was an acknowledgement that it needs a trio of disruptive pass rushers in order to maintain a viable defensive front. If Mesidor can acclimate immediately to the Chargers' demands, he might have a better case for Defensive Rookie of the Year than most realize.
Add us as a preferred source on Google