Chicago Bears Draft Prospect Akheem Mesidor Aims to Bolster Pass Rush

The 25-year-old Miami Hurricanes edge rusher could be an intriguing option for the Bears at No. 25 overall.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:51pm

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A fractured, multi-angled painting depicting the explosive movements and tackles of a football player, with sharp geometric planes in navy, orange, and green representing the dynamic action on the field.A cubist interpretation of Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor's disruptive presence on the field, as the Chicago Bears consider adding his pass rushing talents to their defense.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bears, who were second-worst in the NFL with just 24 sacks last season, are looking to bolster their pass rush in the 2026 NFL Draft. One player they could target with the 25th overall pick is edge rusher Akheem Mesidor from the Miami Hurricanes. Mesidor, who just turned 25, had a strong final college season with 12.5 sacks, and has drawn interest from NFL teams for his mix of power and finesse as a pass rusher, as well as his high football IQ.

Why it matters

The Bears' inability to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback was a major weakness in 2025, and finding an impact edge rusher is a top priority heading into the draft. Mesidor's production and skill set make him an intriguing option to help address that need, though his age and size may raise some questions among NFL scouts.

The details

Mesidor burst onto the national scene with 1.5 sacks against Notre Dame in the season opener, and he followed that up with another 1.5 sacks in the Hurricanes' first College Football Playoff game against Texas A&M. He capped his college career with two sacks in the national title game against Indiana. Overall, his 12.5 sacks on the season tied for the third-most in Division I. Mesidor has drawn praise for his ability to mix power and finesse as a pass rusher, as well as his high football IQ in diagnosing plays. However, his age (just turned 25) and relatively small size for a defensive lineman (6'3", 259 lbs) may raise some concerns among NFL teams.

  • Mesidor had 1.5 sacks against Notre Dame in the 2025 season opener.
  • Mesidor had 1.5 sacks against Texas A&M in the Hurricanes' first College Football Playoff game.
  • Mesidor had 2 sacks against Indiana in the national title game.

The players

Akheem Mesidor

A 25-year-old edge rusher who just completed his college career at the University of Miami, where he had 12.5 sacks in his final season.

Jason Taylor

A legendary NFL pass rusher who mentored Mesidor during his time at Miami.

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What’s next

The Bears will be closely evaluating Mesidor and other pass rushing prospects in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, as they look to find an impact edge rusher to bolster their defense.

The takeaway

Akheem Mesidor's production and skill set make him an intriguing option for the Bears to consider with the 25th overall pick, as they look to address their need for a consistent pass rush. However, his age and size may raise some questions among NFL teams about his long-term potential.