The 2026 NFL scouting combine begins next Monday in Indianapolis, where Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will evaluate prospects. NFL Network analysts Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah both project Miami's Akheem Mesidor to Detroit with the 17th selection.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound edge rusher recorded 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles last season, including 5.5 sacks in Miami's College Football Playoff run. At 25 years old, Mesidor would provide immediate pass-rush help opposite Hutchinson for a Lions team targeting a championship.