Miami Hurricanes DE continues fast rise in 2026 NFL mock draft projections

With Miami gearing up for the national championship game, one of the Hurricanes' leaders is now getting some major first round buzz.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor to the Detroit Lions with the No. 17 overall pick in his end-of-season NFL mock draft.

The Lions' 2025 season ended with a 9-8 record, and the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

Akheem Mesidor projected in first round in Mel Kiper's recent mock draft

In Kiper's latest big board rankings for the 2026 draft cycle, Mesidor checks in at No. 17 overall.

Kiper pointed to both production and versatility. Mesidor logged 64 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2025, plus 4 forced fumbles.

Mesidor's path to this point has been anything but typical, especially for a player who could end up being a first round NFL Draft pick. He is an Ottawa native who played his final high school season at Clearwater Academy International in Florida before signing with West Virginia. He started his college career with the Mountaineers in 2020 and 2021, compiling 9.5 sacks before transferring to Miami ahead of the 2022 season.

"The Canadian makes his presence felt against both the run and the pass, and he shows good bend, closing burst and power. When his initial move is thwarted, Mesidor never stops battling. He also brings some versatility, with the ability to shade inside to DT and get pressure on the interior."

Mel Kiper

Mesidor posted seven sacks in his first season at Miami in 2022, was limited to three games by injury in 2023, and returned with 5.5 sacks in 2024 before taking another step forward in 2025.

Kiper's top 25 also includes Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 14, giving the Hurricanes two edge defenders inside his top 17. And in Kiper's end-of-season mock draft, Bain went eighth overall to the New Orleans Saints.