Every draft cycle features a defensive lineman who doesn’t fit neatly into a single archetype -- not a pure speed rusher, not a classic power end, but a hybrid disruptor who wins with a blend of leverage, twitch, and relentlessness.

For Miami, that player has been Akheem Mesidor. Could this 24-year-old Canadian be that player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers too?

The Buccaneers are set to make their first selection on opening night at this year's draft, with the No. 15 pick, on Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh. The team owns a total of seven picks this year, including three in the top 100.

Bucs Roundtable will take a closer look at a range of prospects headed for the 2026 draft that would jibe with Tampa Bay's current roster and the team's X's and O's strategies and coaching. Our series has also profiled Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell.

In this entry, we focus in on 2025 All-ACC and All-American defensive end Akheem Mesidor.

Mesidor is a versatile, high‑motor edge defender whose game is built on disruption, effort, and a deep toolbox of pass‑rush counters.

His path to becoming one of the ACC’s most reliable defensive playmakers wasn’t linear. He arrived at Miami as a transfer with upside but no guaranteed role, then carved out a niche through sheer consistency. Whether aligned as a stand‑up edge, a hand‑in‑the‑dirt defensive end, or even reduced inside on passing downs, he became the Hurricanes’ movable chess piece -- the guy coaches trusted to win his matchup regardless of where he lined up.

What stands out immediately on tape is Mesidor’s first‑step quickness. He’s not just fast off the ball -- he’s sudden. His get‑off forces tackles into early recovery mode, and once he dictates the tempo of the rep, he becomes a problem. He plays with excellent pad level, allowing him to slip under longer tackles and attack the near hip with leverage. That combination of burst and bend gives him a natural path to the quarterback, especially on wide‑track rushes.

But Mesidor isn’t a finesse rusher. His hands are violent and well‑timed, and he’s developed a strong understanding of how to sequence moves. You’ll see him long‑arm to rip, swipe‑dip, cross‑chop, and counter inside -- all executed with purpose. He’s not guessing; he’s setting up tackles over the course of a game. His ability to convert speed to power is one of his most underrated traits. When he sinks his hips and drives through contact, he can walk tackles back into the pocket and compress throwing lanes.

Against the run, Mesidor plays bigger than his listed size. He’s strong at the point of attack, using leverage and hand placement to anchor against down blocks and maintain outside contain. He’s not a pure edge‑setter in the mold of a 270‑plus‑pound end, but he’s disciplined, physical, and rarely gives up clean edges. His pursuit effort is outstanding -- he chases plays down from the backside, cleans up broken pockets, and consistently finishes with urgency.

Where he still has room to grow is in functional strength and block deconstruction.

Bigger NFL tackles with length can lock him out if he doesn’t win early, and he’ll need to continue adding mass to hold up against power-heavy run schemes. Additionally, while his pass‑rush plan is advanced, he can occasionally stall out when his first move doesn’t land cleanly. Improving his secondary counters will help him finish more plays at the next level.

Mesidor projects as a versatile rotational edge with starting upside, especially in an attacking 4‑3 front or hybrid scheme that values movement, stunts, and varied alignments. His motor, technique, and burst give him a high floor, and his ability to play multiple roles makes him an easy fit for creative defensive coordinators.

He may not be the glitziest edge in the class, but Akheem Mesidor is the kind of defender who sticks -- a reliable, disruptive, high‑effort edge who helps win games in the margins.

ㅤ

Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!