Akheem Mesidor Too Good To Pass Up?
March 30th, 2026
Miami edge Akheem Mesidor.
“This Joe” is pretty sure what not to do when the Bucs are on the clock at No. 15.
That would be drafting an edge rusher in the first round.
Joe has seen enough and seen the history of Bucs coach Todd Bowles with rookie edge rushers. The next double-digit edge rusher Bowles develops will be his first.
And Joe does not like betting against never.
Good guy Charles Davis of NFL Network and CBS did a schlock draft recently. Joe knows Davis a little and he isn’t a guy to throw out nonsense. So Joe believes Davis believes what he types, with research to back it up.
So Davis (until next week?) has Akheem Mesidor schlocked to the Bucs.
The Bucs won’t turn down a chance to add a tough, productive pass rusher.
Joe isn’t so sure.
If Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht really does believe David Walker is all that and Licht’s words weren’t just a very public boost of confidence for Walker, and given how Licht already paid a double-digit sack guy, maybe Licht would pass on Mesidor.
But if the Bucs do draft Mesidor, Joe has one question:
Can the Bucs also hire his position coach with the Hurricanes, Jason Taylor, as Mesidor’s personal coach and give Taylor sole, unchallenged authority to develop Mesidor on the NFL level?
AKhEEM MESIDOR HIGHLIGHTS
Edit By: @DFJSports pic.twitter.com/6wDVMe9DsT— Will Rock (@WillRockJr) March 24, 2026
March 30th, 2026 at 9:06 am
If youre asking these questions then we need to just pull the plug now. The fact youre telling us he simply cant coach proves my point which is hes incompetent. Draft him. Messidor and Rodriguez have been the rwo guys ive really wanted. Bain is a pipe dream. Byt if hes there yiu take Messidor. I said it about verse. I said it about burns. Will he do it? Probably not he will take a big def tackle a receiver or Sadiq lol
March 30th, 2026 at 9:07 am
So…what is the story on Marcus West, our new DL coach. I’m sure there was at least one JBF article on the guy shortly after we hired him, I just don’t recall it so maybe the article or he wasn’t awe inspiring. If we draft a ILB, is Caldwell the guy who coach the ILD draftee(s) up? Caldwell didn’t do anything special with our ILBs last year to instill any confidence.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:13 am
All good points Joe. As you said the next edge rusher developed by Bowles staff will be the first. And apparently Jason Licht isn’t aware yet that he’s lost a ton of credibility with his absurd declarations. There’s too many to list here but my favorite is Mike Evans didn’t leave because of Todd Bowles led teams are doomed to mediocrity. He left because it was best for his family. Yeah ok Jason. Evans took a massive pay cut just to get the hell out of the quagmire here in Tampa.
I can’t believe i used to like this guy.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Somebody is going to overdraft this kid, and I hope it isn’t us.
Not because I don’t think he can be developed or play, but partly because his feet and age had him as a day 2 prospect.
It happens every year, guys lose sight of the draft being more than just day 1 and every prospect they fall in love with is worthy of being a 1st round pick.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:42 am
I’m kinda rolling with Ione or sadiq. An edge in the 1st has to be a “generational” type, and they’re gone before #15
March 30th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Bucs already have Diaby & Muhammad, plus Nelson as our most experienced OLBs. Just those 3 had over 1600 def snaps last season. Add in Braswell and we’re talking over 1900 def snaps (the equivalent of roughly 2 players def snaps).
And that doesn’t account for David Walker or Mohamed Kamara, both of whom could be decent additions this season.
My preference remains to draft another NT/DT to rotate in with Vea & Robinson. Use Kancey further out as a DE, and let Robinson & Roberts rotate in with him to keep guys as ‘fresh’ as possible. That’d give us a beastly DLine on virtually all plays (run AND passes). Reality is that Bowles doesn’t seem to rush TWO OLBs very often along with THREE DLine (he seems to prefer blitzing 1 or 2 from our ILBs & Secondary to augment a 3-4 man rush).
I think we MIGHT be better off (depending on who the personnel on the field are) by rushing 3 DLine plus BOTH OLBs with the other 6 in coverage. Never know until you try I guess.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Licht likes his first rounders on the young side. He’s not picking a 25 year old in the first round. He just won’t do it.
March 30th, 2026 at 9:56 am
Here’s what l think
Zac Robinson love to run the 12 Personnel
1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE, one in line TE, one Move TE
The Bucs just might draft Kenyon Sadiq
But l think my favorite Edge Rusher Central Florida, Malachi Lawrence
Will be available when the Bucs pick in RD 2
March 30th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Hard to believe JL will draft the 4th or 5th best edge rusher at 15, especially ones that will be 30 when his 5th year option come up.
If they can trade down, that is the ultimate play. But it takes two to tango.
Most likely, they will be forced to pick at 15 and JL will go for the best OL, CB or maybe Sadiq. Depends on how the board falls in the first 14 picks.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:12 am
I like his motor and skill set. Depending on how the BPA looks at that time ya gotta go with who is the better talent, even if it’s Shadiq.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:17 am
If the medicals check out, you can’t trade back for more picks then He’s gonna be the best player realistically available. IMO.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Joe,
Bowles needs draft picks that can make a difference this year. The team hasn’t improved enough through FA to say this team will be better at this point.
Drafting an edge guy would be drafting for the next coach
Has Licht drafted an edge guy that has been a stud? Noah Spence, Chris Baker, Anthony Nelson, Khalil Davis, JTS, Andre Anthony, Ya Ya, Joe Ramirez, Chris Braswell, David Walker and Elijah Roberts.
Nelson and Ya Ya are the best of the lot. Is it who is selecting these guys or the coach? Some pre-date Bowles.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Who cares how old he is. That just means we have control over a proven productive passer rusher (in college) for 5 yrs. At 30 let someone else pay him.
The guy has proven production, and he is a man at 25. No wishing for production or hope he plays well in big games. His numbers in the playoffs were fantastic.
If you are in win now mode. Which every NFL team is in, then pick an immediate impact guy, who produced against the best competition.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Still saying this….
If you can’t wok a deal to go get Sonny Styles then:
1st round -> Messidor
2nd round -> Anthony Hill Jr (if he’s gone then Rodriguez)
3rd round -> Best TE/CB/DT
March 30th, 2026 at 10:28 am
With Bowles at the HC/DC, drafting an edge is a wasted pick. He’s never been able to develop one and, imo, he doesn’t use them properly.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Im for the biggest guys who are nasty and can play.
We need a LG so there is 1.
We need a DT so there is 2.
Kayden Proctor will be a dominant LG next to Wirfs.
He is too slow at that size to play Tackle.
Ioane is also an option.
Several big guys at DT but maybe not at 15.
Not sold on Banks. Maybe McDonald or Hunter.
Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane are better than any DT though.
I honestly think trading back is the best option and hopefully people wanna jump the Jets for Ty Simpson. We really need to trade back twice.
5 picks in the first 3 rounds then play ball.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:29 am
I was just reading some Canes message boards and their fans think Bain is a better 3tect than a pass rusher. They seem to think Meisidor is the better natural pass rusher. Fans aren’t monolithic but it what I kept seeing repeated.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Mesidor is not an end of the first round project like JTS etc…
Mesidor is a plug and play stud. If he’s there we should run to the podium.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am
His motor NEVER stops-I like that.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:32 am
I love the way he plays and rushes the passer. More pro ready than others. Only hesitation I have with picking him so high is the ankle/foot injury history. Especially for that position.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Get him!
March 30th, 2026 at 10:40 am
This one has always been perplexing to me in terms of is this a Bowles thing or lack of DE talent thing?
We’ve only spent a single premium R1 pick on edge in his tenure or since 2011 (!!) on this team (JTS) and that guy has 0 sacks in the last 2 seasons with 2 other teams.
Are we going to ignore Shaq Barret having career years with the Bucs after being a rotational player on another team (19.5 sacks year 1 with Bowles vs 3 the year prior)?
When we had Shaq & JPP those guys weren’t dropping in coverage all the time.
I think this argument is super weak when you dive into the context and more so driven by lack of talent than lack of development.
Teams don’t win SB’s without putting premium picks or resources into edge rush.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Todd:
Joe’s not overly sure there is a “next coach” in 2027. Or maybe 2028. People don’t ever want to factor in how Team Glazer views Todd Bowles, which is a wildly opposite of how most fans view Bowles. The Bucs are their team. The head coach is their call.
You are not wrong about Jason Licht’s drafts of edge rushers (Joe still thinks Noah Spence would have worked out had he not had his shoulder blown out twice) but Bowles has a longer, deeper history of non-development from drafted edge rushers. Three different organizations dating back 13 years.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Development of a veteran is a far cry from development of a rookie. Shaq’s only problem was he was in a log jam at Denver.
As far as JPP and Shaq, who was the head coach?
Arians believed in an edge rush. Bowles does not value an edge rush — at least not as much as Arians. Bowles has said it multiple times. “We ask them to do other things.”
March 30th, 2026 at 10:47 am
At 25 years old he better be dominating at the NCAA level… LOL!
I like the way Mesidor plays but he has already reached his physical and ability peak.
What you see is what you get.
I like the idea of drafting an IDL but at pick #15 – who?
If we draft an ILB or IDL with our first pick the Bucs should move back a few spots to do so and pick up another 2nd/3rd round pick. But that is easier said than done.
It takes two to tango.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:53 am
“ People don’t ever want to factor in how Team Glazer views Todd Bowles”
The Glazers view Bowles however BA tells them to.
Bud Licht is office furniture.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:00 am
R. Mason Thomas in round 2!
March 30th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Kadyn Proctor round1!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 30th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Joe’s absolutely on board with that!
March 30th, 2026 at 11:26 am
I thought about R Mason Thomas
But I’m not sure he’s a fit in Bowles defense
I know he can rush the passer, but he has to play the run, drop in coverage also
I think he’s similar to Muhammad, a pure pass rusher
But he’s a good pass rusher, capable of getting double digits sacks
If he’s in the right situation
March 30th, 2026 at 11:32 am
the way licht and glazers think they will compare him to crosby and draft him based on value. “cheaper and younger than crosby what a steal”
March 30th, 2026 at 11:37 am
“As far as JPP and Shaq, who was the head coach?”
Good point for sure. I’d prefer BA all day lol.
Still I just feel like Bowles has not had great DE talent to work with from 2022-2025. He had a lot more to work with 2019-2020 at DE & DT with Suh/JPP/Shaq.
We never really replaced those guys adequately enough imo. I’d love to trade back and hit on DT/DE/LB early in this draft and then sprinkle in CB & TE
March 30th, 2026 at 11:40 am
I’m sorry, but “this Joe” is using a lame excuse.
Are you telling me that so long as Bowles is head coach we should NEVER draft an edge rusher in the first round? What if the Glazers like Bowles and stick with him for the next ten years? Do we just decide no more pass rush for the entire time?
Here’s one for you: When, with Bowles as DC or HC for the Bucs, has he been given a first round edge to develop? Never?
So you don’t really know IF he can do it.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Move up. Trade your 1st, 3rd, and Braswell to get Sonny.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Beyond the first few picks there’s just no telling anymore. Mesidor seems to be the most common guess.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Originally I was against this because well I kind of agree with Joe. We don’t seem too good at developing edge players. Plus I’m over drafting injury prone players. However I spent quite a bit of time looking into mesidor the last couple days and he has a ton of potential. Maybe he will be different. I don’t know. I still don’t have a ton of faith in the bucs ability to develop a player at that position but I do think he’s better than what we have now(but maybe I’m wrong). So I guess I would still prefer they go another route in the first but at least there’s hope if this plays out. I guess my issue is that Jason and Todd keep saying they like walker and think we have pieces at edge with potential so my question would be if you honestly truly believe that then why go edge in the first. If they do, obviously they don’t believe what they’ve been saying because there’s definitely more important needs if they do really believe that. I like mesidor I just think 15 is too high. I still say trade back. Let someone reach for a QB before the jets or let a team chase sadiq. But please for the love of God, Don’t touch sadiq at 15. If you really want a te that bad go for one in 3rd or 4th round. Personally I’m not touching a te in this years draft. See what Culp can do under a new coordinator and ride with Otton Keift and Durham. I still say taking a te who drops the ball a lot is not the answer at 15. I just think there’s gonna be some o-line studs sitting there at 15. So if you can’t find a trade partner then get a CB or build the trenches. I wouldn’t be mad if the right DT is available either. But I got this weird feeling if sadiq is there they’re gonna pounce and waste the pick. Hopefully he’s gone before 15 and we don’t have to worry about it. I’m hoping Al-Quadin pulls a Shaq Berret. Never know. Never a bad thing though when you bring someone in for depth and they surprise you.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:49 am
I wouldn’t mind at all if we drafted a corner or a nose tackle.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Also, in this case, it doesn’t matter if Bowles was HC or the DC…both apply.
But, even now…it’s not Bowles job to develop an Edge rusher.
That job belongs to Mike Caldwell & Marcus West.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:52 am
For those saying 15 is too high…set aside that talk. It doesn’t matter. If you get a great player, it doesn’t matter where he is taken.
Lots of teams passed on Tom Brady for 5 rounds…but in hind sight, taking him in the first round would have been smart for any of them.
March 30th, 2026 at 11:53 am
“Joe’s not overly sure there is a “next coach” in 2027. Or maybe 2028. People don’t ever want to factor in how Team Glazer views Todd Bowles, which is a wildly opposite of how most fans view Bowles. The Bucs are their team. The head coach is their call.”
Please tell me this is just more stirring the pot than any actual concrete evidence that Bowles is Teflon with the Glazers????
Otherwise this entire site is meaningless because we know the coming results in 2026, 2027, 2028 should Bowles be the HC\DC for the entire extension.
Why would we need to follow along daily when the lost decade 2.0 is in effect?
March 30th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Trade up for Sonny Styles! He’s a Sure Thing!
March 30th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Pass rushing isn’t nearly as important as all the other tasks and responsibilities The Genius loads up on his players. Bucs are very fortunate they fired everyone else and kept him.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
“Here’s one for you: When, with Bowles as DC or HC for the Bucs, has he been given a first round edge to develop? Never?”
He only had one technically – the 32nd pick of the draft with Joe Tryon Shoyina. And JTS has gone on to do worse under 2 separate coaching staffs.
During his Jets tenure (2015-2018), they never drafted a true edge/OLB in R1. The closest thing was Leonard Williams who more DT than DE. They didn’t even draft any OLB/DE’s in R2. Darron Lee (R1) was ILB.
So from 2015-2025, the only R1-R2 DE/edge players Bowles has had a chance to develop are JTS & Chris Braswell lol.
hmmmmm
March 30th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
You only develop Edge Rushers for your particular system
If it’s sacks you want, they don’t need to be developed
They know how to sack the QB, they know how to beat a tackle
The problem is the other responsibilities, run support, coverage etc
They are still an OLB first, so they have play the run, drop in coverage
These NFL defenses are not as simple, as they were 30 years ago
Teams playbooks now are like a encyclopedia, compared to older playbooks
These players biggest problem is learning the different schemes, formations etc
Where they suppose to be, their assignment, their reaction time etc
Todd Bowles defense is complicated, as most NFL defenses are complicated
With the right personnel, it can be a top defense
With the wrong personnel, it can be the worst defense
First, you need defenders with a high football IQ, instead of muscles and speed
And they have to learn the playbook, and be comfortable in the system
March 30th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Even if you like Walker, it doesn’t mean you pass on adding another edge rusher.
As for Mesidor, he seems like one of the safer bets, in that he’s ready to play right away, and shouldn’t need the normal year or two that most edge guys need to get ready for the NFL. The downside is that his ceiling isn’t super high. Also I really dislike the fact the guy refused to run a 40 at the combine and at his pro-day – that’s generally a big red flag. But with as long as he’s been in college, there’s plenty of tape of him, so people can see if he’s got NFL speed or not. Personally I’m mixed on him – but I think he’ll contribute right away and could be a decent NFL starter even in his rookie year if he gets the chance.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Joe lol you know Todd Bowles would never allow a Hall of Fame edge rusher like Jason Taylor join the Bucs that might undermine his authority and say how important that edge rushers really are and they’re development as well. According to Todd Bowles, we don’t need an extra rusher in his scheme or at least not a good one.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
We have had golden opportunities before to get some folks in here to officially coach up pass rushers. Not talking about working with a dude on the side or taking a few snaps with him. Bowles has declined. Not sure why…Ego? Who better than Taylor has come along? Love the idea Joe but…
Go Bucs!
March 30th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
LynchMob50 Says
“Please tell me this is just more stirring the pot than any actual concrete evidence that Bowles is Teflon with the Glazers????
Otherwise this entire site is meaningless because we know the coming results in 2026, 2027, 2028 should Bowles be the HC\DC for the entire extension.”
In a worse case scenario where they kept him, we really do not know the result. Bowles has brought us several division titles. We were trending upward before last year.
Last year was horrible, yes, but it all stemmed from key injuries, whether people want to admit it or not. So if we stay healthy, and we draft well…this team can compete.
So having a negative attitude about future performance is not currently warranted.
Now, if we stay mostly healthy and do poorly this year…then we have true issues.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Also…Bowles using Edge Rushers to cover the pass? Not a new thing. Most NFL defensive coaches do it to some extent.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Personally, I firmly believe Bowles will retire the moment he gets a ring. If we want rid of him, truly want rid of him…then we should be pushing for a win, not a new coach. Because pushing for a new coach doesn’t work with the Glazers.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
garro Says:
“We have had golden opportunities before to get some folks in here to officially coach up pass rushers. Not talking about working with a dude on the side or taking a few snaps with him. Bowles has declined. Not sure why…Ego?”
Please link me to proof of this statement.
March 30th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Cornelius Says:
“He only had one technically – the 32nd pick of the draft with Joe Tryon Shoyina.”
Yeah, I realized that after I typed it. Yet another reason I wish we could edit our comments.
March 30th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
A one Trick Pony will never succeed in today’s NFL defenses
March 30th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai,
In regards to your first post…
That was my exact thoughts when I was reading that, haha 🤦♂️
March 30th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
No to trading back. Get a GOOD player at #15. Messidor is a grown man. No typical rookie. Still like Sadiq. He would change the offense dramatically. Dink and dunk when ahead in 2nd half would kill other teams.
Other wise a dominant NT type. Is their one at #15
March 30th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
If Bowles sucks again he’ll be gone, and this roster will still need edge rushers. Draft him because he’ll be good for 8 years, not 2026 only
March 30th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Joe Says:
March 30th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Todd:
Drafting an edge guy would be drafting for the next coach
Joe’s not overly sure there is a “next coach” in 2027. Or maybe 2028. People don’t ever want to factor in how Team Glazer views Todd Bowles, which is a wildly opposite of how most fans view Bowles. The Bucs are their team. The head coach is their call.
^^^^^^^^^^^
I understand the Glazers supposedly “love” Todd Bowles, but what is there to love about his coaching “ability”? The Bucs fans will (probably) have to watch an inferior product because of the Glazers feelings? Is that any way to run a business? If the Glazers don’t care, why should the fans care?