Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft

TL;DR

The Dallas Cowboys selected Akheem Mesidor, an edge rusher from Miami, with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 SB Nation Community Mock Draft. Concerns about his age and future contract implications were raised, but his ability to rush the passer is seen as a valuable asset.

Key points

Dallas Cowboys selected Akheem Mesidor with the 20th overall pick
Mesidor is an edge rusher from the University of Miami
Concerns raised about his age affecting future contracts
He is considered one of the top edge rushers in the draft class
Cowboys need help rushing the passer

Mentioned in this story

University of Miami

Akheem MesidorDallas Cowboys2026 SB Nation Community Mock Draft

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Akheem Mesidor #3 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes rushes during the second quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images Welcome back to another year of the SB Nation Community Mock Draft! As we do every draft season, all 32 NFL sites at SB Nation come together to fill out an entire first-round mock draft leading up to the actual event that takes place from April 23-25. One by one, our site managers will make their picks and provide their reasoning behind the selection. From there, I will provide further analysis on top of giving a final opinion on the pick! Without further ado, let’s keep things rolling! With the 20th overall pick in the 2026 SB Nation Community Mock Draft, Blogging The Boys’ Dave Halprin and the Dallas Cowboys select Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami! **Halprin’s analysis:** **My analysis:** There is no question that Mesidor is one of the top edge rushers in this class, but the advanced age for a rookie is still something that affects future team-building strategy. When he’s done with his rookie contract, he’ll be nearly 30 years old and there’s a high chance he won’t be re-signed to a second contract given the realistic hit rate of a player with his profile. Is that what the Cowboys want to use a first-round pick on? The guy you traded away for an extra first-round pick will be just two years older than the guy you’re going to try and replace him with? Seems like bad process. But alas, the Cowboys need help rushing the passer and Mesidor can do that on top of being a menace around the line of scrimmage. He runs with a motor always turned up to 11 and he’ll make a lot of plays simply by not giving up and chasing them down from behind.

Q&A

Who is Akheem Mesidor and what position does he play?

Akheem Mesidor is an edge rusher from the University of Miami, known for his strong performance in college football.

Why did the Cowboys select Akheem Mesidor in the 2026 mock draft?

The Cowboys selected Mesidor to address their need for improved pass-rushing capabilities, despite concerns about his age at the start of his NFL career.

What are the implications of selecting an older rookie like Mesidor?

Selecting an older rookie like Mesidor may affect the Cowboys' future team-building strategy, as he could be nearing 30 by the end of his rookie contract, potentially limiting his chances for a second contract.