Miami's Akheem Mesidor selected by Los Angeles Chargers with No. 22 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesThe BeastConsensus RankingsTop 300 Rankings7-Round Draft Order2026 NFL Draft Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor earned first-team All-ACC honors as a sixth-year senior in 2025. Jerome Miron / Imagn Imges Share articleThe Los Angeles Chargers made Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor the No. 22nd pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Canadian began his six-year college career at West Virginia, where he led the Mountaineers with five sacks as a true freshman in 2020. After two seasons in Morgantown, he transferred to Miami, where he developed into a first-team All-ACC selection as a sixth-year senior in 2025. Teaming with All-American Rueben Bain on Miami’s defensive front, Mesidor tied for third nationally in sacks (12.5) and tied for fifth in tackles for loss (17.5), and his 67 pressures ranked third, according to Pro Football Focus. Mesidor, 25, had surgery on both of his feet for torn ligaments as well as shoulder surgery early in his career at Miami. He missed only one game, though, because of injury in 2025. Mesidor ranked No. 28 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: “Mesidor won’t be universally loved because of his age and injury history, but he is a disruptive force off the edge who is always playing 100 mph. He projects as a three-down NFL starter, with interior value on subpackages.” A disruptive force and likely three-down starter, despite age and injury concerns. What an anonymous head coach had to say about Mesidor in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft: “Because Rueben Bain’s such a beast, people tend to overlook what a monster this guy is. He’s really violent with his hands and can really bend, too. And he’s got a really good motor. He won’t stay blocked, and he just keeps coming.” Come back later for more analysis of Mesidor. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms