NFL IQ: Bucs Should Pick Akheem Mesidor Over Kayden McDonald
April 18th, 2026
Let’s have some fun with AI, shall we, before what’s left of rural Florida turns into one giant data center.
While Grok and Gemini and Anthropic make all the news about artificial intelligence on a daily basis, the tech geeks behind NextGen Stats (affiliated with Amazon) developed an AI bot for NFL.com called “NFL IQ.”
At first, Joe thought the bot was cool — until Joe saw a team-by-team list of each team’s top needs. NFL IQ had the Bucs’ with an offensive lineman at the top of the list. smh
The PFF tribe somehow must have gotten its fingerprints on the software.
Anyway, Joe decided to have fun with NFL IQ. Let’s see what the bot thinks: Should the Bucs draft Miami edge Akheem Mesidor and pray to a heavenly body that he can be developed or should Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht play it safe, continue his violence theme and get Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald?
(“Who is a better fit for Todd Bowles’ defense, Kayden McDonald or Akheem Mesidor?”)
Here is what NFL IQ responded with:
This is a great matchup to break down — and the answer is pretty clear when you stack both prospects against what Todd Bowles actually needs.
Akheem Mesidor is the significantly better fit for Bowles’ defense.
Here’s why:
What Bowles’ scheme demands at EDGE Bowles runs a 3-4 base with aggressive blitz packages. His ideal edge rusher must do three things: rush the passer, set the edge in the run game, and handle zone drops on simulated pressures. Pure speed rushers who can’t handle a curl-flat drop are discounted in this system. Motor-driven, versatile, power-based edge defenders are exactly what he’s looking for — think Shaquil Barrett or Maxx Crosby as the archetype.
Akheem Mesidor — Strong Fit Mesidor checks nearly every box Bowles needs. Daniel Jeremiah ranks him #23 overall and describes him as having “an ideal frame, relentless motor and pass-rush instincts.” His game is built on power — he shakes/bulls OTs, knocks their hands off, and can corner and bend to the QB. Critically, he has “enough length and a powerful enough base to firmly set the edge against OTs and consistently annihilate TEs” in the run game.
Bucky Brooks calls him “a relentless power rusher whose game is built on violence and hustle” with heavy-handed maneuvers that overwhelm blockers.
His NGS Production Score of 90 is elite, validating that his college tape translates. At 6’3″, 259 lbs, he meets Tampa’s measurable thresholds for the position (min 33″ arm length, 34″ vertical minimum).
The scheme fit is so obvious that virtually every expert mock draft has Mesidor going to Tampa at No. 15 — and NFL.com noted “no wonder everyone is mocking Mesidor to the Bucs.”
The Big Board Lab profile specifically names Mesidor as a player who gains value in Bowles’ system because of his versatility to rush AND drop.
Kayden McDonald — Wrong Position, Wrong Fit McDonald is a defensive tackle, not an edge rusher — so he’s not even competing for the same role. He’s a 326-lb interior run-stopper out of Ohio State. DJ ranks him #33 overall and notes he’s “at his best against the run” but “lacks twitch and polish to consistently win” as a pass rusher.
While Tampa does have a moderate need at IDL (with Vita Vea aging and Kancey coming off a torn pec), McDonald’s profile — high-floor run stuffer, limited pass rush upside, 50.5% starter probability, 2.2% Pro Bowl probability — doesn’t scream priority at No. 15. He’s more of a Day 2 value pick. Mock drafts have him going in the mid-to-late first round range to teams like the Bears and Texans, not Tampa.
The Bottom Line: Mesidor is one of the most scheme-specific fits in this entire draft for the Buccaneers. He’s a power rusher with a relentless motor who can set the edge, generate pressure, and handle zone drops — exactly what Bowles has been missing. McDonald is a solid prospect, but he plays a different position and doesn’t address Tampa’s most critical need.
Every word in that excerpt is straight from NFL IQ. Every word, every punctuation mark.
It seems the bot hasn’t watched much of McDonald and certainly didn’t watch McDonald virtually take over the Big Ten Championship game against Indiana last December.
So, if the Bucs agree with the NFL IQ bot and draft Mesidor, the next work of business is to get Jason Taylor out of Miami and into One Buc Palace.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Getting Taylor should have already happened, but it won’t because We Know Who doesn’t think he needs any help and knows better than everyone else. 🤡
April 18th, 2026 at 11:07 am
We need Landon Robinson
April 18th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Everyone seems to have their preferences as to who we pick. I’m different…mostly. I try to guess who the Bucs will most likely pick.
Just as hard though…because they’re unpredictable at times.
That’s why I ‘ask’ for positions instead of doing mocks. I do have a short list of players I like, and if they take anyone from that list I’m very happy. It’s more of a wishlist.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:29 am
I think we should build up the trenches first and foremost
Offensively and defensively
April 18th, 2026 at 11:34 am
Well, well, Joe. It certainly does sound like a talking head type like PFF. It obviously doesn’t actually watch football and it probably doesn’t own Ouija board or a deck of tarot cards so it has to get it’s information from somewhere. For a chunk of silicon it talks a good game, I guess. Of coarse it doesn’t seem to consider the possibility of trading up or down, but it is good for a laugh and it is certainly entertaining. It makes a few good points, I guess.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Mcdonald doesnt fit us. Lee Hunter in round 2 would be a much better fit for the position.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:39 am
I would be happy with either, but #15 seems a bit early for both. I have a very slight preference of Mesidor over McDonald because I value pass rush over run stopping. The guy I really want at #15 is McCoy but he may be gone.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:41 am
If you want to take a flyer on a old man
Just draft Ndame Tucker in Round 6
Then you won’t risk a 1st rounder on a geezer
April 18th, 2026 at 11:44 am
The fault that will cost Todd Bowles his job is his Ego. The biggest mistake he made was not hiring a Defensive Coordinator. HE wants tht glory. But his job as HC would have been instantly easier. The Glazers should have demanded it. Shows you just how mych they really watch their bucs or know them. We shoud take Mesidor at 15. But we won’t. I can just feel it.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:54 am
I feel like a trade down for value is needed for everyone that’s been mocked to us. Unless they really take Sadiq or top 10 edge/LB/CB drops down to us, we may be drafting too high for anyone like Ioane, MacDonald or Mesidor.
I like all three well enough and know they would all help but hard to tell if they’re worthy of the 15 spot. Would rather have an extra pic on day two and drafting the low 20s.
April 18th, 2026 at 11:56 am
NO
April 18th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Pick your sport. There are numerous instances of careers being cut short and ending due to foot problems. Mesidor has had surgeries on BOTH feet. An edge rusher needs both speed and power to be successful. They come from a solid base; i.e. feet. Hard NO, regardless of the round.
April 18th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
The Bot is right.
April 18th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Bantry: How do you explain Mesidor being a very good pass rusher after his foot surgeries? Could it be, I don’t know, that the surgeries helped the problem?
April 18th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Please give Mesidor the numper 9. We will have a new Plan 9 from Outer Space! Bowzo will be in heaven.
April 18th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Give me either one in Round 1 and I need no further sales job
If we can trade back a bit and procure extra draft pick(s) in the process, even better. I like both these dudes for this defense a lot.
April 18th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Fire bowles, hire the bot
April 18th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
MacDonald vs Mesidor isnt even close.
One would play on a handful of downs and contribute to an already good group of run stuffers in Vita, Robinson, Nacho and Robinson.
They other would be a day one starter opposite YaYa and fill a much bigger need.
If the Bucs add another DT, it needs to be a penetrator like Kancey.
April 18th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
For me personally
It’s hard to draft a 25 year old rookie with the 15th pick
April 18th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
I’m not convinced that a 25 year old is the 15th best player in the draft
April 18th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
So be it
April 18th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Offense ,offense, offense is what I say. Give your new offense coordinator the best offensive tool, be it tight ends or offensive linemen because if he does good at offensive coordinator he will become our next head coach🏈🇱🇷
April 18th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Lakeland, If you’re Bowles and Licht in this make or break type season, you might look at Mesidor as the most pro ready & ready to contribute pass rusher of the Draft, who’s matured in the game and has 6 years of experience at just 25 years old with ultra production. If he pans out, maybe you only get 8 years of play and a one contract guy over a 10-12 year player who signs multiple contracts, but your still getting a solid 7-8 of a pass rusher in his prime. That still checks the now AND for the future boxes.
Plus, having not had any contribution from a drafted pass rusher under Licht, getting a premium pass rusher for 7-8 years of prime who’s more mature, has plenty of experience already, is most pro ready in build, stature and game, and has that natural pure pass rush ability, yeah they’ll take that. Him being 25 over 22 isn’t gonna matter as much here as it may normally or at a different position or with the make or break season ahead.
Otherwise I would normally agree with your take and it is def the usual sentiment about “older (25)” players in the Draft in relation to round 1.
April 18th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
2 four rd scenarios that should occur with no trade down -#1 1st rd. mesidor 2nd rd either rodriguez, hill, golday 3rd rd best cb, lb, dl avail. 4th rd same as 3rd. #2 1st rd allen 2nd rd lawrence or jacas. 3rd rd . best cb,lb dl avail. rd 4 . same
as rd 3. the perfect scenario – trade down to 21 with pitt. for a 3rd rd. and still get #1 scenario with and extra pick. none of this sleeper crap or upside or projects. this defense needs impact players pronto.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Bot makes some valid points. 25YO age only matters if it = ACC Conference production turning Mesidor into fool’s gold. Would gladly take 10 sacks for next 4 or 5 years even if it ended after 4/5. Would even be happy with 8/9 sacks for next 3 seasons.
Related side note on FanofBucs comment above on gap “penetrator like Kancey”. Not a bad idea. At all.