Akheem Mesidor is Chargers' 2026 NFL Draft round 1 pick
Edge Akheem Mesidor was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the 22nd overall pick. Mesidor was among draft prospects visiting the Cincinnati Bengals on April 10, according to NFL Network , along with fellow University of Miami Hurricanes prospect Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez .
Mesidor played two seasons at West Virginia and four seasons at Miami. Mesidor was a college teammate at Miami of Bengals defensive back DJ Ivey for one season, and Bengals offensive lineman Jalen Rivers for three seasons. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Mesidor has talked about having to walk more than two miles in a snowstorm to attend football training.
What to know about Mesidor: Mesidor will be a 25-year-old NFL rookie. Mesidor was expected to be a first- or second-round pick. "I think if you just looked at the tape, you would think top-15 pick," ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said .
"He's fast. He's angry against the run. He stacks up well.
He's an older prospect and he's had a lot of injuries. That's the thing you worry about with him. He's 25, you've had three notable injuries.