While defensive tackle appears to be a top priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, they must also address the pass rush. Sure, general manager James Gladstone needs to add talent to better generate pressure in the interior trenches. However, their rotation on the edge could also use a boost.
Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen give the Jags a pair of talented pass rushers, but they need a No. 3 that can keep them fresh and spell them from time to time. 2025 undrafted free agents B.J. Green II and Danny Striggow flashed last year, but that shouldn't stop Jacksonville from bringing in reinforcements.
The issue is that the Jaguars are cap-strapped, so they may not be able to either make a splash signing or make a run at star defensive end Maxx Crosby, as much as they would like. That may force them to turn to the draft to bolster their pass rush. The good news is that they'll have ample options in Round 2.
The Jaguars could target Akheem Mesidor to boost the pass rush
Matt Miller of ESPN put together a two-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft and had Akheem Mesidor going to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 36, noting that he might have a limited ceiling but has enough talent to disrupt the line of scrimmage at the NFL level.
"Mesidor's age (he turns 25 in April) might limit how high he can rise, but this value at the top of Round 2 would be too sweet to pass up," Miller wrote. "Mesidor projects as a true 4-3 defensive end who could disrupt offenses opposite Maxx Crosby."
Of course, the Jaguars would surely hope that Mesidor is still available when they're on the clock at No. 56. If they think he'll be off the board by then, though, they have the ammo to move up several spots in Round 2.
A three-star recruit coming out of college, Mesidor began his collegiate career at West Virginia in 2020. He transferred to Miami two years later and became a mainstay of the Hurricanes defense, registering a combined 138 total tackles, 38 tackles for a loss, and 26 sacks the past four seasons.4
Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report gave Mesidor a Round 2 grade, noting that "he's a good athlete with impressive change of direction." Moreover, he does a good job of "setting up his pass rush moves."
On the other hand, Holder echoes the concerns about Mesidor's age, arguing that it will limit his ceiling in the NFL. Nevertheless, he compared him to Tuli Tuipulotu out of USC and Joe Tyron-Shoyinka coming out from Washington.
Why the Jags may pass on Akheem Mesidor in Round 2
It's possible that the Jaguars may not address the pass rush early in the draft and wait until 2027 to do it because they already have Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen around.
Couple that with the fact that Jacksonville may want to prioritize adding reinforcements at defensive tackle, and Akheem Mesidor may not be an option. Then again, if he's still available when the Jags are on the clock, he may be too good to pass up.
There's no doubt that Akheem Mesidor would give the Jaguars an intriguing pass rusher who could afford to learn the ropes behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Moreover, he could serve as insurance in case Walker leaves in 2027 (he's slated to be a free agent then). Having said that, they cannot overlook their need for upgrades at defensive tackle. That may ultimately lead them to pass on him.