The 2026 NFL offseason is here and that means it’s time for mock drafts, draft profiles and everything that goes with them. So without further ado, here’s one of many Draft Profiles for the 2025 NFL draft.
Akheem Mesidor, DL/EDGE, Miami
HT: 6’3
WT: 258 lbs
Accolades:
- Second-team All-American (2025)
- First-team All-ACC (2025)
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2020)
- Third-team All-Big 12 (2021)
Video:
Pros:
- Diverse Pass Rush Arsenal: He’s got a deep bag of tricks when rushing the passer, chaining together moves like swipes, arm-overs, and club-rips to keep offensive linemen on their toes.
- Explosive and Relentless: Mesidor bursts off the snap with amazing anticipation, turning that initial quickness into constant pressure. He can threaten the edge and then quickly cut inside with a “Euro step” move.
- Advanced Hand Combat: He’s a master at using his hands to defeat blockers, consistently beating them to the punch and setting up his moves with clever fakes and changes in direction.
- Smart and Opportunistic: He’s great at recognizing when tackles overcommit to protecting the edge, and he quickly counters by attacking inside gaps instead of running himself out of the play.
- Strong Against the Run: He sets a tough edge, sheds blocks effectively, and shows incredible hustle tracking the ball on run plays, using his quickness to disrupt blocking schemes.
- Scheme Versatility: Having played multiple positions, including nose tackle earlier in his career and both inside and outside at Miami, he offers defensive coordinators a lot of flexibility in how they use him.
- High Motor and Competitive: This guy plays with serious fire! He never gives up on a play, always working counter moves and chasing down opponents with outstanding effort until the whistle.
- Elite Coaching Advantage: He’s benefited immensely from being coached by NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor at Miami, which has really sharpened his technique and helped him become one of the most refined edge rushers out there.
Cons:
- Suboptimal Build for Edge: At 6’3″ with shorter arms than typically desired for an NFL edge rusher, he might struggle to establish a firm anchor and maintain leverage against more physically imposing offensive tackles.
- Inconsistent Power Conversion: His speed-to-power rush often doesn’t hold up against stout blockers, and his bull rush can be easily neutralized by tackles who absorb his initial charge effectively.
- Balance Issues Post-Contact: He has a tendency to narrow his base during contact, which compromises his balance and can lead to him tripping or falling when trying to make plays in the backfield.
- Over-Aggressive Run Pursuit: His eagerness to penetrate can sometimes be a detriment against the run, as he’s prone to overshooting his lane and vacating his assigned gap responsibility.
- Significant Injury History: Concerns about his durability are notable, stemming from multiple foot surgeries during his collegiate career at West Virginia and Miami, which led to him missing considerable playing time, including nearly all of the 2023 season.
Summary:
Mesidor’s film is really impressive, showing a lot to be excited about. He’s got one of the most comprehensive pass rush arsenals in this draft class, and the way he seamlessly connects moves without missing a beat highlights a natural instinct for disrupting blockers. When you see him go up against top-tier tackles, it’s clear he relies on skillful technique and relentless effort, rather than just pure athletic gifts, to make plays. That kind of blend usually translates really well to the pros, where technique often trumps raw speed, and the fact that he was mentored by Jason Taylor only boosts confidence in his future growth and development.
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