The Chicago Bears now have two more weeks to decide on selection No. 25 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Some fans hope powerful offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor lands in Chicago. Akheem Mesidor of Miami (FL) football looks more realistic at 25th overall, though.
Proctor no doubt hands Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson the tackle of the future. Chicago surrendered just 24 sacks last season, however. So offensive line isn’t the most pressing need. Proctor becomes a likely backup here if taken.
Mesidor enters a different situation. He became the less-heralded star edge rusher opposite of Rueben Bain. The latter Hurricanes star projects to fall before selection No. 15 on April 23.
Mesidor put together his own stout resume during Miami’s return to the national title stage. He’d rise as a gift to the NFC North champions for these two reasons.
Akheem Mesidor brings instincts Bears defense needs
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Johnson’s first Bears team relied heavily on offense and Williams to lead the playoff charge.
Defense still costed Chicago an upset against the Los Angeles Rams. Lacking an instinctive pass rush allowed Matthew Stafford to pick apart Chicago.
Mesidor is a high-effort and energetic rusher. Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman trusted him to attack as a wide-9 defender during most games, especially versus Notre Dame.
Akheem Mesidor Cut Ups https://t.co/fVOo89MtUW pic.twitter.com/AR56RFWjxe
— jeremiah (@NewEraMiah) February 22, 2026
Mesidor cranked up the pursuit angles against Texas A&M and dual-threat Marcel Reed during the College Football Playoffs.
Akheem Mesidor being mocked in the 1st round despite his age and lack of athletic testing helps show just how good his film is: pic.twitter.com/j9tqCIgQ1I
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 23, 2026
Scouts likely watched this sack of projected top pick Fernando Mendoza, with Mesidor attacking with a hand swipe.
The 49ers met with Miami DE Akheem Mesidor at the NFL Combine, per @jenniferleechan
Mesidor’s 2025 stats:
▸ 38 SOLOs
▸ 12.5 SACKs
▸ 4 FFs pic.twitter.com/8B2m4p0RYE
— Sleeper49ers (@SleeperSF49ers) March 1, 2026
Mesidor is dropping in the draft due to being a 25-year-old rookie. Yet his maturity hands him an advantage. Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby endorses him too.
“He’s freaky and he’s got some trends you can’t coach.”
That’s @Raiders All-Pro Maxx Crosby talking about Miami’s Akheem Mesidor.
Crosby is not concerned, even a little bit, that Mesidor is already 25 years old.
“He’s already developed, he’s a grown ass man. He can definitely… pic.twitter.com/886ynSGsjv
— HouseRules (@houserules789) April 9, 2026
But Mesidor presents one more reason why he’s a fit for the Windy City.
Bears need pass rush improvement
Adding new weaponry for Williams looks enticing on the surface. But again, Chicago’s defense needs the most retooling.
The Bears ranked 22nd in passing yards allowed. Montez Sweat rose as the lone double-digit sack leader with 10. And Sweat now will enter his 30s this fall and isn’t getting any younger.
Gervon Dexter hit six sacks next to Sweat. Dexter’s tailored made for the interior more, though, as a 320-pound defensive lineman.
Sweat, Dexter still need help up front. Mesidor presents the instincts to ignite this front seven. But his versatility can win over Johnson and returning defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
The 6-foot-3, 259-pounder shows strong eye discipline in identifying bootleg action by quarterbacks. He’ll force opposing offensive coordinators to think twice about running RPO (run pass option) plays his side.
Finally, we bring one more reason Chicago should swoop up Mesidor at 25th overall: He learned from Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor at Miami. Mesidor’s age and tutelage from Taylor makes him one of the more NFL ready defenders available. He’s a gift to a struggling Bears defense if he’s available at No. 25, or Chicago trades up to grab him.
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