Report: Bucs Were Going To Pick Akheem Mesidor, Until…
April 24th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles today said the team locked in on a guy last night they thought had a decent shot of drafting at No. 15.
That plan got blown up when unexpectedly, edge rusher Rueben Bain was looking for a team at No. 15.
Per NFL freelance reporter formerly of NFL Network, James Palmer, that unnamed person the Bucs had locked in on was Bain’s Miami teammate, fellow defensive end Akheem Mesidor. Bain blew up the Bucs plans, per Palmer, as Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht jumped at getting Bain with the No. 15 pick.
@JamesPalmerTV: The #bucs were hoping to land a pass rusher from Miami, but picked the one they NEVER expected to fall to them. TB received called, stayed at 15, and picked Bain when they were hoping for Mesidor. They’re over the moon.
Licht did admit last night after the Bucs selected Bain that he was getting calls about a trade down, and he waited a couple of minutes just to make sure he didn’t miss out on a Draft Day-like trade — three first-round picks — before Licht pulled the trigger on Bain.
Then the Bucs’ war room erupted, Licht said.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
A Bowzo Draft in progress. F-.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
A Bowzo Draft in progress. F- maximum Bowzo.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
That’s the worst kept secret in the world
Everyone knew they were staring down Mesidor
April 24th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Tonight will even be worse.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Maybe they can find a player with short legs.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Man I love the Bucs and Bowles!
April 24th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
He whupped up on….Ball State, USF, Duke, Wake Forest and other pushovers….This pick is anothe JTS/Howard Bowzo Blunder.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Mesidor and his family was praying that Bowles wouldn’t select him and then his whole household erupted when the Bucs picked
April 24th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
If I had to grow up with a name like Grover I would be a troll too.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Some guys have all the luck,some guys have all the pain. Some guys do nothing but complain
April 24th, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Nobody thought he was going to be there. The guys and I were chugging down a few and attacking a few wings. I shouted out, damn, we might have a shot at Bain. Now, tonight, let’s find David’s replacement. So far, we have an A average. Let’s keep it up.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:43 pm
JRod or Hill. Allen if they are both gone! If they start a run at ILB use the 5th and/or 6th round to move up. Get 3-4 eventual starters!
April 24th, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Woodman got a Woody on JTS.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:44 pm
Get ready for tonights disaster.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Joe, One guy posting the same message five times obviously not a bucks fan. Can’t you afford a monitor. I mean that’s really offensive! I really like this site and I don’t mind fans who are critical but that’s really over the line.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
You ain’t a Bucs fan if you spell it bucks
April 24th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Another uppercut landed squarely by HC.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:15 pm
HC Grover is annoying Buddha but your comment is borderline cry baby. AND ITS BUCS!!! The Bucks are an NBA team!
April 24th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
Still should have got mesidor with his versatility, Bain was terrible choice I promise he is slow, had no production is college. Never had a double digit sack season and is completely hyped on pressure rate which did nothing for Bucs last year. NFL is a superior league if you can produce numbers in college don’t expect that to change in the NFL where quarterbacks release the ball much faster and are 10 fold better all around
April 24th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
And these joe brains with no logical sense, HC Grover is not off base whatsoever. Please someone prove him wrong or sit down and stfu already.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
From everything I’ve read, Bain was THE dawg last year. His pressure pushed QB’s into Mesidor’s lap. Mesidor got 12.5 sacks, Bain less, but Bain had much more disruptive reps. Most “experts” say Bain was by far the best player on Miami’s D last year, and because of him, others feasted and got stats. No disrespect to Mesidor, he’s a good/great player, but most analysts think Mesidor got his stats because of Bain. I’m glad we bagged Bain instead of Mesidor.
Transposing this thinking to the Bucs this upcoming year – Bain’s motor might drive others (YaYa) to feast. I’m salivating at the thought.
Bain might/should transform this defense and make it much better – and that’s without considering the FA additions we made to the D – AQM, Anzalone, Boom, Robinson.
I say all this to state, so far, I’m impressed how the Bucs FO has pivoted, realized the team’s weakness, and addressed it.
Last 2 years? Ho Hum. This year? Good stuff, man – good stuff.
I have some optimism.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Huge Bucs fan here, but why pass on someone who has way more production and is way more versatile (aka mesidor) than someone you think can succeed because of pressure rate. Meaidor would have thrived so well in a Todd bowels defense you guys are actually out of your mind. I can’t wait to see mesidor blow up and David walker start over Bain lmao.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:39 pm
Creamsicle, you be trippin. I mean, we’ll see, but your scenario doesn’t seem reasonable.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
Watch Mesidor be better in the NFL than Bain.
That would be classic Bucs style.