Watch: Highlights of Chargers' first-round pick Akheem Mesidor
Watch the best college highlights from edge rusher Akheem Mesidor's time at Miami.
The 2026 NFL Draft began Thursday evening and it did not disappoint. Day 1 featured trades and shocking moves with the Chargers snagging an edge rusher with the No. 22 overall pick.
Akheem Mesidor, out of Miami, brings the defense an elite pass-rusher in coordinator Chris O'Leary's inaugural season at the helm. It appears general manager Joe Hortiz is also thinking about the future as Mesidor will replace Khalil Mack once he retires, giving Tuli Tuipolutu another edge in the unit. The edge is coming off a dominant 2025 campaign with the Hurricanes, posting 63 tackles, 17.
5 tackles for loss, 12. 5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was the first Miami player to lead the ACC in sacks since Gregory Rousseau in 2019.
His performance earned him a First-Team All-ACC selection last season. The 25-year-old believes his age gives him an advantage over other rookies in this year's draft class as he looks to make an immediate impact with the Chargers in 2026. "You can call me a seasoned rookie.