Todd McShay Again Mocks Akheem Mesidor To The Bucs
April 16th, 2026
So the high-profile mock draftniks benefit from producing multiple mock drafts. Why? Because each mock prompts feedback from NFL coaches and executives that have the mocker in their contacts.
ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager, formerly of NFL Network, laid out that reality this week on The Pat McAfee Show. Longtime draft guru Todd McShay has implied that in recent interviews, as well.
Now working for TheRinger.com after years at BSPN TV, McShay has been one of the most accurate mockers on the market over the past five years. (Funny, he was miserable at BSPN.)
So Joe has been paying attention to McShay, and for his second consecutive mock draft, which dropped yesterday, McShay has the Bucs picking University of Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor at No. 15 overall.
Improving the pass rush is an absolute must for Todd Bowles’ defense. Mesidor brings exactly what they’re missing—he’s a polished, productive pass rusher with a deep arsenal of moves, change-of-direction quickness, violent hands, and a relentless motor. There are some age and durability concerns (he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie and has dealt with various injuries), but this is a team focused on the present, not a second contract. And from what I’ve heard, most teams view his durability risk as moderate.
Production-wise, he checks out. He had 12.5 sacks, a 21.3 percent pass rush win rate (just behind Bain and Bailey in this class), and four forced fumbles in his final college season. That’s the type of impact the Bucs need off the edge.
Interestingly, McShay, has fellow Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain going to the Ravens at No. 14. Keep in mind the Ravens last year drafted edge rusher Mike Greene late in Round 2, a guy some Bucs fans were talking about drafting in Round 1. Greene helped lead Baltimore to a miserable 30-sack season total.
The Joe typing here expects the Bucs to draft an edge rusher in Round 1, barring a fruitful trade down opportunity.
Simply stated, Tampa Bay is desperate for a talent upgrade at the position, or should be.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:01 pm
Seeing is believing! I’ll be happy with anyone who can make an immediate impact preferably on the D side of the ball.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
i like AM, but i dont see much difference between him and Mason Thomas…
trade down, collect an extra pick, grab IOL early!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
I’ve seen Mesidor and Faulk mocked to the Bucs. Fauk seems more like a 4-3 defensive end that’s a run stopper. I’d rather take Mesidor, but Licht/Bowles will love Faulk’s character.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
I think Faulk is the reason the Bucs want to trade down, not McDonald.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
I was thinking the same as I was reading about Faulk, he matches what Licht and Bowles have said they want in a player.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Faulk didn’t have great production his last year. But he had decent production the year prior. Best case scenario, he kind of reminds me of Richard Seymour. I’m not in love with the guy at 15 to be honest.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
I don’t see much of a dropoff with these Edge Rushers
I don’t think any of them stand out like Myles Garrett coming out of college
I believe they all are similar, talent wise after Bailey, and Bain
Mesidor, Parker, Lawrence, Thomas, Faulk, l would take anyone of them
But not in the 1st round
April 16th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Also Young and Howell
April 16th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Yeah I would love to see a trade back. I don’t know that any of them are going to be great in the NFL.
April 16th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
let us know what mcshay says about what he thinks about your boy saddiq and his short arms
April 16th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
We know Yaya will start 17 games for us
The rookie will have to compete with Muhammad, Walker,
If we’re going to spend the 15th pick on a rookie Edge Rusher
He need to start right away, but Muhammad is coming of a 11 sack season
Muhammad could be starting with Yaya, if last season wasn’t a fluke
April 16th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
actually muhammed never starts because of his bad run defense
April 16th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Muhammad didn’t start last season in Detroit
But he will be in the game on most passing situations
That will cause to draft a part time player with the 15th pick
April 16th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Faulk’s production in sacks radically dropped because he was moved to DT and used as a space eater last year.
His own team hurt his production.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
i feel like they are drafting mesidor also. glazers want a pass rush at a discount. lot cheaper than crosby or henderson
April 16th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
The reason Muhammad didn’t start for Detroit
They thought he was too small for a DE
But he will be an OLB for us, and he’s the perfect size for the position
April 16th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
I would rather see them take a LB Corner DT. The Bucs have many attempts at drafting an Olb. The only one that proved incredible was L Selmon. Yes 1976. With that history you sure hate to see them waste a number 1 on another attempt. I would even rather see them take an offensive player over an OLB.
Their are so many holes on defense that can’t get the first round wrong. Actually they can’t afford to get any round wrong
April 16th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
I would draft Mesidor, Parker, Howell, Thomas, Lawrence, Faulk, Young
If l could trade down in the 1st
April 16th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
This is a safe pick. He will produce right away.
And keep the griping down here!
April 16th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Cardinals Considered Strong Candidate To Trade Down
Well, here’s the opportunity for the Bucs to do something
I know who I would want!!!!
April 16th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
I seem to recall at least one Joe here saying that edge rushers usually do little to nothing as rookies.
According to a popular Siriusxm nfl radio host, rookie edge rushers seldom make an impact because they have one, maybe two moves that worked well in college but the pros on the offensive line in the NFL have seen whatever those moves are hundreds of times and know how to counter them. They also rarely enter the league at the weight and strength they need to go up against the truly big boys they will be facing who are much stronger and faster than the linemen in college.
I’m just worried that the Bucs pass on a sure thing at another position for what is almost always a gamble at edge rusher – especially at pick #15.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Not going to be anyone worth trading up to get at 15.
Fifteen is the 3rd pick in the second round, talent wise.
The trade value score card says the Bucs could move
into the top ten if 15 is paired with the second rounder.
I’d rather move up rather than take another 2nd round defensive
bust.
Get a guard in the second, or trade up.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
To be honest, it Mesidor is there? I would take him. Sure, he is 25. But I’m 100% certain he is a plug in player at the ready. My heart though tells me, We will pass on him. Watch and see. Kids got a motor and instincts you cannot teach.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Opinions are all over the map – as is my own opinion.
-> Moderate Injury Risk” designation in this piece (others too) doesn’t generate warm fuzzy safe vibes.
-> Big question for us here is was recent 2025 breakout season due to 1) being old enough to rent a car playing 19 YO’s as grown arse man with [more] experience, size, + [enough] talent to play CFP? Can we expect the same success against other real grown arse men who have more experience/size and equal (+) talent. What about the fact that opposing teams gameplanned more for Reuben Bain and shifted resources accordingly? At minimum, having another real threat on other side of D-line makes life easier for both.
– Does Mesidor fit our defensive scheme? Seems almost all success comes from 3point stance. Not saying that means much [to me] – more of a question for y’all and/or 1BP braintrust.
Advantages:
-> Clearly well coached by Jason Taylor, so minimal need to “develop”
Mesidor since he is already as developed as much as he will ever be. 👈🏼 Yes, double meaning implied.
-> Established production every year (except 2023; limited to 3 games cuz injury). Position versatility is nice. Miami lacked depth so had Mesidor bulk up to play majority of snaps interior DT in 2024. New DC came in 2025, had Mesidor slim back down to play edge again majority of snaps. In fact, one could argue that 2024’s production 34 total tackles 9 TFL & 5.5 sacks could have been more if not for taking one for the team. Can’t cover – which I count as a blessing for Tampa as less likely coaches ask him too. Need sacks + TFL. Let the LB’/secondary cover.
-> plays both pass and run well.
Glad my job is not at risk trying to decide whether Akheem Mesidor will have more meaningful impact than Kayden McDonald, Keldric Faulk (who is 5 years younger than Mesidor!), Iaone, Jacob Rodriguez, etc.
April 16th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
No thank you. Next….
April 16th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Please NO!
April 16th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
What if Bain drops to #15? That’s my pick.
April 16th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
Faulk is a no if I had a choice. He doesnt seem to be explosive at all. Mesidor at least has production and Thomas is explosive. I would also be ok with a DT at 15. This team needs to invest in defense more then anything.