The 2026 NFL scouting combine gets underway next Monday, Feb. 23, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will get their chance to interview and evaluate key prospects next week.
After the combine, the start of the new league year and NFL free agency rapidly approaches on March 11. That means the Lions’ 2026 NFL draft decisions aren’t far away either.
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Detroit will get a good look at some of its top options next week. One of those names is Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, who NFL Network’s Charles Davis projects to the Lions at pick No. 17.
Mesidor is a force off the edge. Lions Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson certainly approves of this selection, although Detroit might opt to address the offensive line here. Could this be a spot for Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor or Clemson’s Blake Miller? – Charles Davis, NFL.com
While he mentioned offensive tackles Proctor and Miller, Davis did opt for Detroit to select Mesidor. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah also mocked Mesidor to Detroit at the end of January.
The Lions want to add a pass-rusher that can complement All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson. Mesidor would absolutely accomplish that.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound edge rusher just enjoyed his most productive season last year at Miami, totaling 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Mesidor was at his best when the games mattered most, too.
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The Ottawa, Ontario, product registered 5.5 sacks throughout the Hurricanes’ four-game College Football Playoff run. Mesidor will be 25 years old at the start of next season, so that could be a detractor for some. But, for a win-now team like the Lions, the chance to bolster its pass rush opposite Hutchinson with a player like Mesidor makes a lot of sense.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFL mock draft brings Aidan Hutchinson sidekick to Detroit Lions
