NFL Draft Guru Mel Kiper Jr. Has the Patriots Addressing Defense in Round 1

Kiper projects the Patriots to select Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor with the 31st overall pick.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:18pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the explosive movements of a football player rushing the passer, with sharp planes of navy blue, red, and white representing the New England Patriots' defensive scheme.A cubist interpretation of a Patriots pass rusher disrupting the backfield, reflecting the team's need to add speed and talent to their defensive front.Syracuse Today

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the New England Patriots using their first-round pick (No. 31 overall) to address their defense by selecting edge rusher Akheem Mesidor from the University of Miami. Kiper praised Mesidor's production in 2025, but noted concerns about his age and injury history.

Why it matters

The Patriots are looking to improve their pass rush after tying for the 7th-fewest sacks in the NFL last season. Mesidor could provide a boost, but his age and durability will be key factors in the team's evaluation.

The details

Mesidor, a Canadian-born player, had a breakout senior season at Miami in 2025, recording 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures, and 11 run stops. However, he is 25 years old and has dealt with injuries over his six-year college career. The Patriots' EVP of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf, has indicated the team is looking to add speed on the edge to complement their existing defensive linemen.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.
  • Mesidor is currently ranked as the 4th-best defensive end on Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board.

The players

Akheem Mesidor

A 25-year-old edge rusher from the University of Miami who is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper Jr.

A prominent NFL draft analyst for ESPN who releases regular mock drafts leading up to the annual event.

Eliot Wolf

The Executive Vice President of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots, who has indicated the team is looking to add speed on the edge.

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What they’re saying

“Mesidor is supremely talented, with 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures and 11 run stops in 2025. But he's also 25 years old and has some injury history over his six-year college career. If the Patriots are comfortable with the durability risk, they could absolutely use his production.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Draft Analyst

“We could complement [free agent signing Dre'Mont Jones] with some speed. I think that's evident. Dre'Mont and Harold [Landry III] and Elijah [Ponder] and some of the other guys we have, they all have their skill sets. We would like to get faster, Dre'Mont's a guy who can play across the line, run games, he can sneaky beat you with speed but that's probably not his bread and butter. So, that's an area we're looking to try to improve the depth on the roster.”

— Eliot Wolf, EVP of Player Personnel, New England Patriots

What’s next

The Patriots will have to weigh the potential upside of Mesidor's production against the concerns about his age and injury history as they evaluate their options for the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Patriots are looking to bolster their pass rush this offseason, and Akheem Mesidor could be an intriguing first-round option if the team is comfortable with the risks associated with his age and injury history. His potential to provide a significant boost to the team's defense makes him a player worth serious consideration.