Revisiting the 2026 NFL Draft: Can Akheem Mesidor be a building block for Chargers defense? — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-6 to start the season, a worse start than last year when they did not lose a sixth game until the regular season finale.
- Akheem Mesidor has played 192 of a potential 367 defensive snaps and has recorded 10 pressures and 2.5 sacks through six games.
- Mesidor creates pressure by playing to the whistle rather than winning quickly off the line, and he is noted for setting a solid edge in the run game.
- The Chargers' edge rusher room has recently leaned on veterans Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree, both 33 or older, aside from Tuli Tuipulotu.
- The article notes there was a negligible difference between Mesidor and other edge rushers taken after him in the first round of the 2026 draft.
Why it matters: For the 0-6 Chargers, assessing whether a rookie like Mesidor can be a long-term starter is crucial for allocating future draft capital. His solid but unspectacular play suggests the team may still need to invest heavily in other defensive positions, like cornerback and offensive line, to rebuild.
Ask SkimNews
