Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher and five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby raves about Akheem Mesidor's "freaky" talent and "crazy" bend, predicting a high NFL Draft selection for the Miami Hurricanes' pure pass rusher.
As the NFL Draft approaches, several Miami Hurricanes prospects enter a new chapter, both life and career-wise. It will be a memorable moment for the players, including star edge rusher Akheem Mesidor. He’s coming off a career season: 63 total tackles, 38 solos and 25 assists, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 15 games.
The 25-year-old was named All-ACC First Team, Academic All-American First Team, Sporting News All-America Second Team, and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, which went to Hurricanes homegrown star edge rusher and duo partner Rueben Bain Jr.
Mesidor is projected to be a first-round selection, but there is uncertainty about where the Canadian native might land. He played six total collegiate seasons and battled through significant injuries that required surgical repair. Regardless, Mesidor is one of the best defenders in the class, labeled as a “pure pass rusher.”
In a recent episode of “The Rush With Maxx Crosby,” Las Vegas Raiders defensive end and five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby considers the Hurricanes star a standout draft choice.
“This is my guy,” he said. “I’m going pure off, not opinions and all this other sh--. I’m going off of straight film and what I’ve seen. Mesidor from Miami, defensive end. He’s going to be up there; he’s going to be a pretty high draft pick, for sure. Reuben Bain, respectfully, he [has] gotten all the praise; he deserves all the praise, he’s an absolute dog. It has nothing to do with that, but we come on the show, we give people their flowers when they deserve it. Some guys that go a little bit under the radar. I feel like Mesidor, just watching some of his tape, his bend is crazy. The way he’s able to get around the edge, the way he’s able to get off the ball, he’s freaky. He’s got some traits that you can’t coach. I think a guy like him could come in and play right away because he’s 25 years old. Some teams might look [at] that as a bad thing, but also if you need a guy right now to come in and play, I feel like a guy like him, he’s already developed, a grown a-- man. He could come in and definitely make some noise early on.”
Mesidor confirmed to have met with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears during the NFL Combine. There will likely be more organizations in the mix. As Mesidor received an endorsement from Crosby, it could boost his draft stock even further.
The first round of the NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 23. It will stream on the NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC.
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