Losing a key defender, Seattle could eyes Akheem Mesidor to bolster their Super Bowl defense in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Seattle Seahawks were able to beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, and one of the biggest reasons for it was their impressive defensive line.
But the team just lost Boye Mafe in free agency, who was a very solid performer for them in 2025. As a result, the team could look to build back up their depth on the line through the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
In a recent mock from Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, he has them doing exactly that. With the last pick in the first round of his prediction, he thinks the reigning Super Bowl champions could take Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor.
"Akheem Mesidor is an older prospect who'll be able to help the defending Super Bowl champions immediately," Edwards writes. "They allowed Boye Mafe to depart in free agency, but depth remains a strength in their efforts to repeat."
Mesidor has been one of the most productive defensive linemen in college football over the past few seasons. In his final year with Miami, the 6-3, 280-pound defender recorded 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks, which was the most in the ACC.
One thing that might draw the eye of some NFL teams is who coached Mesidor in his time with the Hurricanes. NFL Hall of Fame edge rusher Jason Taylor was named Miami's defensive line coach in 2023, and he knows a thing or two about getting to the quarterback.
So if his mentor is any indication of what he could do in the NFL, then there could be quite a few teams willing to use one of their picks on Mesidor. And one of those teams could be the champs.
Of course, there are some factors teams will evaluate closely during the draft process. Mesidor is slightly older than many prospects and has dealt with foot injuries earlier in his college career. However, his production and polished skill set suggest he could still make an immediate impact at the next level.
If this mock draft projection becomes reality, Seattle could land a proven pass rusher capable of contributing early while also helping anchor the defensive line for years to come.