Akheem Mesidor And The Bucs
March 3rd, 2026
Joe knows a sect of Bucs fans wants the team to draft the best available edge rusher and hope for the best.
It’s an understandable thought process. Come the draft in late April, the Bucs will be desperate for an edge rusher if they don’t sign one in free agency.
Current Bucs edge rusher YaYa Diaby is good but not close to great. At 29, Anthony Nelson is career backup. Chris Braswell is invisible and second-year edge rusher David Walker has never played in a preseason or regular season game.
That collective reality represents a problem for a 2026 Bucs team with a goal of postseason glory.
Among the various draft mavens, Joe is a fan of longtime NFL.com film guru Lance Zierlein. The son of a renowned former NFL offensive coach, Zierlein is all about the film and he breaks down hundreds of prospects each year for the NFL in great detail.
In his post-Combine mock draft yesterday, Zierlein placed University of Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the Bucs’ lap at No. 15 overall.
No surprise, Zierlein went to the tape and says Mesidor can hit the ground running.
Sure, Mesidor will be a 25-year-old rookie, but his pass-rush bag is as deep as a 15th-year veteran’s. The Bucs must produce more pressure, and Mesidor can supply that quickly.
Mesidor spent six years in college, two at West Virginia and four at Miami, where Hall of Fame edge rusher Jason Taylor was his position coach the past few years.
“I’m always in his office,” Mesidor said of Taylor last week. “… We’re always talking, watching the film.”
Maybe, just maybe, Mesidor is far more NFL-ready that most edge rushers, given his age, experience and position coach. Heck, he’s played in a whopping 65 college games.
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:46 pm
I want him
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:50 pm
I like Keldric Faulk but his stats are scary only 2 sacks last year and he seems like another hall clone tweener
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Also I like Anthony hill more than CJ Allen
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Most likely to produce in his first year as most Edge players don’t. Interesting to see if Todd wants someone like this since he’s on the hot seat no point of worrying about the players age out of college
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:57 pm
If we don’t get Rodriguez with our first pick, we’re not gonna get him. And that would be a shame. Because then we’ll have to play against him. And again, that would be a shame.
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:57 pm
25 year old unproven rookie at pick 15 or Maxx Crosby, giving up the 15 and another 1st rounder?
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
How is he in coverage?
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Not a fan of old rookies but we need to win now and joe Tyron was 21 and an absolute bust. This MAN is going to come out ready to play wouldn’t be mad with this pick whatsoever.
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Mesidor was very productive last year with 12.5 sacks. He’s a solid rd2 pick but I was thinking ILB in rd2 with guys like Anthony Hill Jr. or Taurean York. It may depend on free agency and who Licht picks up, or doesn’t. Still I’d be happy with Mesidor.
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:26 pm
yes please
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:57 pm
If we don’t get Rodriguez with our first pick, we’re not gonna get him. And that would be a shame. Because then we’ll have to play against him. And again, that would be a shame.
=================================
Kenton,
Rodriguez ran a much better combine 40 than projected. Would you still pick him over CJ Allen? No point in thinking about Sonny Styles. He will be long gone at 15.
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:51 pm
My problem with CJ Allen is I just don’t see it, if he was at a non premier school would he get as much shine ?
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Armondo Blount ’27
March 3rd, 2026 at 2:54 pm
65 games in College ridiculous. If he was really good he wouldn’t have waited this long to be a NFL draft pick.
Don’t understand the point of writing about him. The schools he attended are not powerhouses. If he is/was that good why haven’t we heard about him .Please take a pass.
March 3rd, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Kenton Smith you make me laugh. Saying last week that Rodriguez was the best linebacker in the class and constantly saying Baker is the best QB in the NFL.
I get Baker with your Oklahoma ties but just don’t get the Texas Tech love.
That being said — I will root with you if we pick him in the 2nd round.
March 3rd, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Trade up for Bailey or Bain.
March 3rd, 2026 at 3:10 pm
gp- Don’t even plant that seed!!! 🙂
March 3rd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
“gp- Don’t even plant that seed!!! 🙂”
‘Canes asked him to do it alot, and he had a key play in coverage against Ohio State in the college playoff.
Seeds been planted and is apart of his resume.
March 3rd, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Mesidor would be a great addition and immediately fill a DE need. I know Bain is rated higher, but I watched them both play and my take is they complimented each other versus Bain being better than Mesidor.
March 3rd, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Mesidor has been my fondest hope for the Bucs in round for his balanced, highly refined game and immediate impact where the Bucs need it most. He is as explosive off the snap as he is old compared to his peers so I’m not sweating his age one bit. He brings not just a hot motor but an animalistic fury that I hope can be contagious and ignite a new identity for this defense. I’ve never seen forced fumbles quite like some of Mesidors’- the ball goes flying off over everyone’s heads like blocked punts. There are moments watching his film against double teams that look like booth review footage that rolls back and forth rapidly to see if it was a catch, crossed the plane, whatever but it’s not edited or glitchy film- he just works back and forth so fast and furious it looks unnatural.
His shorter arms get him locked-up in those double teams sometimes but that’s the only real knock on him. Jason Taylor has him and the rest of that Miami talent phenomenally well coached up. He and Bain both graded out in the 90s against the pass and run (according to PFF) week in, week out all year. That’s insane. More than any pass rusher or two I’d love most for the Bucs to somehow lure Jason Taylor to join their staff and bring what he has to Miami to the Bucs. Let him school the Bucs incoming talent, along with their existing talent and knock the crust, dust and mold off Bowles’ defense while he’s at it. It wouldn’t cost a draft pick or single cap dollar but would have a transcendent impact.
Mesopotamia has his get-off, sustained energy and production I need to see from a first round edge pick. Faulk could be an All-Pro but lacks the energy and production I want to see needs development I’m not sure this defensive staff can provide. After the combine it looks like the Bucs will have their choice among some promising options available at 15. I need them to choose wisely- and sign Jason Taylor to be Leftwich-style DC! I don’t think he is ready to call plays but I would love to give him a run at COORDINATING this bumbling defense.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Hey guys, I was dealing with the ultra realistic PFF Mock Draft tool – and I figured out how to Sonny – AND Cleveland’s 1st round pick next year!
All we have to do is start out by trading Baker and a 1st round pick to the Raiders for the #1 overall and some other picks – BUT not to worry Baker Boi(s), we just trade to get Baker back later in the draft. Brilliant stuff, more proof I should be the team GM. Here’s the haul…
Trade 1 (with Raiders)
Buccaneers received: R1:1, R2:36
Raiders received: QB Baker Mayfield, R1:15, R3:77, R4:116
Trade 2 (with Browns)
Buccaneers received: R1:6, R1:24, R2:39, R5:139, 2027 1st
Browns received: R1:1
Round 1, Pick 6
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Trade 3 (with Bengals)
Buccaneers received: R2:41, R3:72
Bengals received: R2:39, R4:102
Trade 4 (with Raiders)
Buccaneers received: R1:24, R2:36, R2:46
Raiders received: QB Baker Mayfield, R3:67, R4:102
Trade 5 (with Jets)
Buccaneers received: R2:44, R4:103, R5:175, R6:210
Jets received: R2:41
Round 2, Pick 44
LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Round 3, Pick 67
TE Max Klare, Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 72
LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Trade 6 (with Texans)
Buccaneers received: R4:106, R5:165
Texans received: R4:103, R7:229
Round 4, Pick 106
ED Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Round 5, Pick 139
CB Thaddeus Dixon, North Carolina
Round 5, Pick 153
ED Max Llewellyn, Iowa
Round 5, Pick 165
G Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
Round 5, Pick 175
T Kage Casey, Boise State
Round 6, Pick 194
LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Round 6, Pick 210
S VJ Payne, Kansas State
And for all of that, including ending the draft with Sonny, and Cleveland’s 1st next year, while giving up zero future assets, PFF gave me an A-.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Mesidor Seems to have jumped Howell after the combine. I’m not sure a DE is going to be the highest rated player on their board. I think it’s going to be like last year and they will take an offensive player in the first round and defense the rest of the draft. At least 5 of the last 6 picks. Taking a G or TE at #15 if they stick and pick.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Jonathon Greenard might be a decent option to trade for – just saw Vikings are trying to offload him and could be had for a Day 2 pick. Might be attractive if we can work in his salary.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:17 pm
We need some of the U of Miami D (pause), that’s what’s missing the past few years.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:19 pm
The top pick hub-bub about Jacob Rodriguez among Bucs fans is reaching concerning levels after Styles put himself out of reach. They aren’t the only good ILBs available in this draft. LB isn’t a high value position. Let other teams burn their top picks on both the above, CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr and maybe Jake Golday.
Then let Josiah Trotter, Taurean York, Deonte Lawson, Harold Perkins Jr., Jaishawn Barham, Kyle Louis, and Red Murdock go to other teams because that can’t cover anybody.
I’ve been feeling the pain of this hole for years like everybody else but more than one guy to solve this gaping maw the Bucs have on the roster I’d like them top load up on day 3 LB talent and bolster their special teams in the process. Lander Barton and Eric Gentry are athletic freaks that excite as much as anyone listed above and AJ Peña from Rhode Island is my chosen successor to LVD. He is prototypical and completely under the radar to everyone but the folks in Providence who are seriously going to erect a statue of this young man.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:23 pm
Sign Boye Mafe and Von Miller, trade back in round 1 unless Sonny is there
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:52 pm
“AJ Peña from Rhode Island is my chosen successor to LVD. He is prototypical and completely under the radar to everyone but the folks in Providence who are seriously going to erect a statue of this young man.”
Was big on Christian Thomas out of UofMaine, but I think he’s hit the transfer portal hoping to goto a bigger program for more exposure.
Gonna keep an eye out on Bamas’ pro day for Nikhai Hill-Green. If we double dip at ILB like we did CB last year I’d take him as the 2nd selection to our LB room all day
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:54 pm
This team needs a LOT of help! Trade out of round 1 unless Sonny is there.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:11 pm
KC Buc Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Jonathon Greenard might be a decent option to trade for – just saw Vikings are trying to offload him and could be had for a Day 2 pick. Might be attractive if we can work in his salary.
————-
Sounds like he’d be a lot cheaper than that as it’s more of a salary dump. But yeah, if you can get him for like a 4th or 5th rounder, that would be a quality pickup for sure.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:13 pm
If Messidor was 21 yrs old, he would be a top 10 lock. If he was playing any other position except QB or EDGE at 25 yrs old, he would have been a day 2 pick.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:20 pm
25-yeards old is great — means he can step in and play from day 1, won’t need to physically mature, and should be much more advanced than younger guys. Also with a 1st round pick, means you control him for 5-years – so basically on a rookie deal you’re getting all his prime years. Makes a ton of sense actually, so long as he’s worthy of the pick otherwise.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:25 pm
@Toddler Bowles
That’s what I said. They probably need to trade down because they still have other needs, too! Unless they actually do decide to go out in FA & actually do something.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:38 pm
This guy is a no brainer. Very disruptive against everyone he faced.
Showed up bigtime in big games. He is my pick.
56 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in the 2025 playoffs. He had 2 sacks in the championship game. Dude balled out.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Potential Draft Day Trades
Trade Back into the Early-to-Mid 20s
*Draft EDG Cashius Howell
Trade Back into the Late 30s / Early 40s
*Use the additional draft capital to secure the pick
*Draft MLB Anthony Hill Jr.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Warren-Brooks-Lynch: Hill-Green from Alabama is a mighty intriguing LB, so is Jaden Dugar from Louisiana and so is Erick Hunter from Morgan St. He is another long but fluid pass coverage master who will be available on day 3.
I’d be more than a little disappointed in just a double-up at ILB given the talent available and the Bucs needs for two starting ILBs and a true nickel/dime/big slot ILB. I expect David to bounce back in 2026 but three or even four of the day 3/UDFA ILBs can be acquired for a pittance of draft capital. They can be a shot in the arm to the Bucs’ special teams units at least and probably be the talent to shore up the middle of the Bucs’ pass defense in short order. Even if the Bucs bring back David and sign Anzalone or draft Hill Jr I’d still want at least 3 of these exciting day 3 ILBs. It wasn’t just the atrocious coaching that had the Bucs special teams units looking as pathetic as they did in 2025.
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:00 pm
He ran a 4.8
Pass
I want a freak at OLB.
Not another slow poke like Braswell.
This guy is 6-2. 280. And ran a 4.8.
He’s more of a DE than an OLB in this defense.
I want a Yaya clone. A James Pearce kind of guy.
6-5. 260. And FAST.
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Concerning:
It’s been reported that Mesidor has had surgeries on both feet — at West Virginia and at Miami. Not one foot. Both. Before a single NFL snap. The most documented incident is the 2023 torn ligament that ended his season after three games, with Lisfranc floated as a possible diagnosis.
He’s played well since. That’s acknowledged. But…
The Patrick Willis parallel is what should give Bucs fans pause though. Willis dealt with chronic structural foot issues that also started in college. By year three in the NFL he was taping for 30 minutes before every practice, putting numbing cream on his big toes just to get through walkthroughs, and cycling through new cleats every game. He didn’t retire from one play. He retired at 29 because the accumulated damage had nowhere left to go.
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Cmon Munch!
Bucs are not getting Greenard for a 4th or 5th rd pick. That is a ridiculous comment. Greenard also would be much better than just a quality pick up…he would be Bucs’s #1 Edge by a significant margin.
Greenard sack numbers were down considerably last season, but he only started 10 games due to a left shoulder injury. He had double digit sacks in 2023 & 2024. Bucs have not had a double digit sack guy since 2021, when Shaq Barrett had 10.
Jonathan Greenard | Minnesota Vikings ED | NFL and PFF stats
OVERALL GRADE. 74.2 · 31st/115 EDs ; PASS RUSH GRADE. 77.6 · 18th/115 EDs ; RUN DEFENSE GRADE. 77.8 · 12th/115 EDs
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Re-sign Evans, Alexander
FA: ILB, DE, RB, TE, G
Draft
A) Pick Styles if available
B) Pick Howell if available
B.2) Take TX Tech, FL or OSU DT
C) Trade back in 1st rd for an extra 2nd or 3rd rd pick and pick DT from OSU, FL or TX Tech
C.2) Draft Illinois DE Gabe Jacus in 2nd
C.3) Draft ILB Rodriguez from TX Tech and TE Dpriggs from Baylor in 3rd rd
C.4) Pick G in 4th
C.5) Draft ASU ILB Keyshaun Elliot
C.6) Draft CB
C.7) Draft RB
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:50 pm
NObody has Rodriguez going in the first. His senior bowl and combine moved him into the second though
The thing is, ALL these edge rushers look good, get great grades, then they pan out about as well as first round QB’s, you’re ALways rolling the dice
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:04 pm
PoundTheRock Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Cmon Munch!
Bucs are not getting Greenard for a 4th or 5th rd pick. That is a ridiculous comment.
———
The ESPN article says the Vikings have to get under the cap, and he’s going to be the odd man out – so basically you’re getting him on the cheap in terms of what he’d cost. At least according to them – we’ll see.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:08 pm
The only no-brainer is FIXING OUR INTERIOR DLINE FIRST, then worry about what’s beside & behind them. Right now it sucks, and it’s keeping our OLBs from optimizing their production. Defense starts in the trenches.
Our sack production fell to 37 sacks last season with 89 QB hits. Opposing QBs, even youngsters, ate us alive because we couldn’t pressure them consistently. And that was with our big dog Vea giving us 763 def snaps (73%). And oh ya, with us bringing in a $14 mil free agent who gave us 570 def snaps in 13 games plus 2.5 sacks & 6 QB hits. What a waste.
What we had wasn’t working, and not because of injuries (our DLine was fairly stable). Our opponents got better, but we regressed. Best way to fix that? Bring in better talent AND coach them better.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Teacherman Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 6:00 pm
He ran a 4.8
———-
Where do you see that? He hasn’t actually ran yet, and won’t do so until his pro-day. We shall see. Watching some highlights, he generally doesn’t look all that special, but on some plays you absolutely see some elite burst. Will be interesting to see how he tests – but I agree, if he’s running a 4.8, then he’ll slide to the 2nd round most likely.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:16 pm
Rod Munch you are bored out of your mind. I can’t stop laughing at your being the GM post. Hay don’t make us Baker bio(s) unset. Bucs need alot no doubt about that. I am looking forward and hoping and praying the defense a get a tad bit better. I love Baker but if he doesn’t better this year cut him loose. That was had for me to say I am team first. Let’s Go Bucs.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:18 pm
Defense Rules Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:08 pm
The only no-brainer is FIXING OUR INTERIOR DLINE FIRST, then worry about what’s beside & behind them. Right now it sucks, and it’s keeping our OLBs from optimizing their production. Defense starts in the trenches.
Our sack production fell to 37 sacks last season with 89 QB hits.
—————
Losing JTS really hurt the team.
Between that and losing 7.5 sacks from Kancey – there’s 9.5 sacks.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:19 pm
Stan says Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:16 pm
Rod Munch you are bored out of your mind. I can’t stop laughing at your being the GM post. Hay don’t make us Baker bio(s) unset. Bucs need alot no doubt about that.
———-
Dude, I suckered the Raiders into giving me the #1 overall – then later they take a much worse deal to give us Baker back – and we end up with Sonny AND Cleveland’s 1st rounder next year. It’s brilliant stuff, it’s why they call me The Brain, why I’ve won over a thousand Super Bowl titles in Madden since 1990.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:21 pm
LOVEMYBUCS that is concerning. I’ve been through it myself and the experience included recurring dreams of my big toe big torn off by invisible forces and buying the same shoes in multiple sizes to accommodate swelling. Some short stretches I had an 11 on the left and a 15 on my right foot, some days a few years later it was vice versa but I always could play. The Bucs consistently sloppy turf is actually insurance against agitation hehe.
Seriously though, I’m looking for pass rush and run defense excellence week one 2026 and based on his 2025 performance I’m convinced and comfortable that he can do that for the Bucs for the next few years starting day 1. I want a guy who performs better than Ya-Ya for 4 of the next 5 years. I’m not considering a second contract for first rounders usually. I’ll take the rookie deal value then let them walk. Evans and Wirfs are rare exceptions. Even if he was 25 with pristine injury history when his rookie deal is up I don’t want to pay what the level performance I expect of him commands so I have no real qualms about his age and feet. It’s all about the next five years in this shallow talent pool and the Bucs dire need for edge pressure.