Chargers could have ideal pairing with Akheem Mesidor, Tuli Tuipulotu

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: A screen shows Akheem Mesidor of Miami after being selected 22nd overall by the Los Angeles Charger during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Los Angeles Chargers are investing in their pass rush by selecting Miami's Akheem Mesidor with the No. 22 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

The Chargers hope Mesidor can be a building block for the defense for years to come and the team was happy to have him as the leader of the draft class. The Chargers hope he can play well off of Tuli Tuipulotu on the other side of Los Angeles' front seven.

Mesidor was often mentioned as the Chargers' Round 1 target, especially once Ioane came off the board. In Mesidor, the Chargers got solid value and grabbed one of the last edge rushers to have a first-round grade after an early run at the position," ESPN contributor Matt Miller wrote.

He'll be an outside rusher with stand-up ability but also has the skills to kick inside on some downs, which he did often in college. It's easy to see Mesidor being very similar to new teammateTuli Tuipulotuin terms of fit and usage. If Mesidor can equal Tuipulotu's production, the Chargers will be ecstatic."

In his final year at Miami, Mesidor recorded 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss as he helped the Hurricanes reach the national championship, where they lost to the Indiana Hoosiers.

Now, the Chargers are getting champion-level defense to aid the rest of the unit, which they hope will make the playoffs for a second straight season.

BFTB community, what do you think of adding Mesidor to the mix? Chime off in the comments section below.