If Patriots fans are tuning into Monday’s National Championship Game, they should keep an eye on one Miami Hurricanes edge rusher.
In Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft at The Athletic, New England selects Akheem Mesidor with the 30th overall selection.
“Yes, Mesidor is older (he’ll turn 25 in April), but he won’t need a ramp-up period as a rookie — Mike Vrabel could wind him up and cut him loose on Day 1,“ Brugler writes. ”New England ranked in the bottom third of the league in sacks and QB hits and should continue to address its pass rush this offseason.”
The 6-foot-2, 272 pound defensive lineman has been a menace in the trenches for Miami this season, registering 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. On Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board, Mesidor is ranked as the 16th best prospect in the draft.
“Mesidor started at West Virginia in 2020 and 2021, racking up 9.5 sacks,” Kiper writes. “He transferred to Miami before the 2022 season and had seven sacks in that first season. An injury limited him to three games in 2023, but he came back with 5.5 more sacks in 2024 and looks great in 2025. The Canadian makes his presence felt against both the run and the pass, and he shows good bend, closing burst and power. When his initial move is thwarted, Mesidor never stops battling. He also brings some versatility, with the ability to shade inside to DT and get pressure on the interior.”