Patriots draft profile: Akheem Mesidor combines production with age and injury concerns

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Akheem Mesidor #3 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after a third quarter sack against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images As both executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL Combine, the edge position is one of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots. Even after signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year deal on the first day of free agency, that remains true.

Jones is expected to start opposite of Harold Landry, but the veteran’s ability after an injury plagued season is TBD as he continues his rehab process. And after losing K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings in free agency, just second-year players Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson remain as top secondary options on the depth chart. That being said, the Patriots adding to the group early in the NFL Draft seems like a foregone conclusion based on the offseason so far.

And if they do, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor may be under consideration. Hard facts Name: Akheem Mesidor Position: Edge rusher School: Miami (RS Sr. ) Opening day age: 25 (4/5/2001) Measurements : 6’3”, 259 lbs, 32 1/8” arm length, 78 3/4” wingspan, 10” hand size, N/A Relative Athletic Score Experience College: University of West Virginia (2020-21), University of Miami (2022-25) Career statistics : 64 games (53 starts) | 2,6,38 defensive snaps, 248 special teams snaps | 208 total tackles, 52.

5 TFLs, 5 FFs | 167 quarterback pressures (35. 5 sacks, 16 hits, 115 hurries) | 6 penalties Accolades: Second-team All-American (2025), First-team All-ACC (2025), Second-team All-Big 12 (2020), Third-team All-Big 12 (2021) Growing up in Ottawa, Canada, Mesidor began playing football in the National Capital Amateur Football Association before attending multiple different schools to enhance his football development. As a three-star recruit, he eventually committed to West Virginia to begin his collegiate career.