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The Cowboys used their second first-round pick to select Miami’s Akheem Mesidor in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft
by Michael PetersonApr 18, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
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 ImagesWelcome 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:
Dave HalprinStar6dNFL
SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: With the 20th pick the Dallas Cowboys select…
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he's a little older than you'd like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
LikeRec 3CommentsThin Stroke Comment Icon BubbleReplyRead 18 repliesMy 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.
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