Chargers Bolster Their Pass Rushing Ranks By Drafting Akheem Mesidor At No. 22

It was nary concealed nan Chargers were searching for a walk rusher successful nan first information of nan NFL draught connected Thursday nighttime — and they recovered one.

The Chargers selected erstwhile Miami separator rusher Akheem Mesidor astatine No. 22 overall, making him nan heir evident for Khalil Mack successful a walk rushing portion that was deed difficult by Odafe Oweh leaving successful free agency.

The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Mesidor should supply contiguous extent to a separator rushing portion that needs to recoup immoderate of nan accumulation Oweh took to Washington. And pinch Khalil Mack’s profession being renewed connected a year-to-year basis, Mesidor will get nan chance to study from Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree earlier seeing a apt starting domiciled successful nan seasons ahead.

The Chargers will beryllium hoping Mesidor is simply a speedy learner — astatine 25 years old, nan Canadian-born Mesidor is older than a emblematic first-round pick.

Still, Mesidor has intimidating credentials. He had 35½ profession sacks and posted 12½ sacks pinch Miami past play successful its tally to nan nationalist title game. He besides had 17½ tackles for nonaccomplishment past season. He vanished 2025 pinch nan sixth-best defense people (92.5) by Pro Football Focus and was tied for 4th among FBS rushers pinch 67 full pressures.

The 1 interest pinch Mesidor are nan wounded issues that extended his enactment successful nan assemblage ranks, but he played successful 15 games for nan Hurricanes past season.