The Chargers selected edge rusher Akheem Mesidor with the No. 22 overall pick on the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft.
There wasn’t a general consensus when it came to which route the Bolts would go with their first-round pick Thursday night. The team had needs on both offense and defense, but ultimately, the organization prioritized coordinator Chris O’Leary’s unit.
Mesidor is coming off a dominant season where he posted 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles, but his age became a question and even a concern in some draft analysis.
The 2025 campaign was the 25-year-old’s sixth season of his collegiate career. General manager Joe Hortiz discussed Mesidor’s age and why his maturity played a role in the draft room.
“We interviewed him in Indy. You felt that in the room,” Hortiz said of the edge’s maturity. “He’s experienced. He got an education in football at Miami. … Age is just a number.”
Beyond his age, there were also some injury concerns regarding the former Hurricane. Mesidor played through a right foot injury in 2022, which preceded a shoulder surgery he underwent before enrolling at Miami in May that year. Foot injuries prevented him from competing during the 2023 season.
Hortiz said there was no concern with Mesidor’s medicals.
“He had one year of issues. We thoroughly evaluate everyone medically,” Hortiz said.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh was fired up to welcome Mesidor to the defense: “All down player. Three down, four down player.
“Can puss rush inside and outside.”
Mesidor replaces Odafe Oweh in the pass-rush rotation. While Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu remain the starters, he projects as the primary EDGE3 and a long-term starter once Mack’s one-year deal expires.
In his rookie season, expect O’Leary to use Mesidor as a movable piece, occasionally kicking him inside to the three-technique on third-and-long to create mismatches against slower guards.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers discuss first-round selection of Akheem Mesidor
Reporting by Valentina Martinez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
