Now that the mock drafts are starting to come to an end, it's more telling to see what the experts are saying in their final mocks of the season, particularly when it comes to the Patriots. There is a strong belief that they will take a pass rusher with their first-round pick, and that's what ESPN's Mel Kiper predicts in his latest projections.
Interestingly, it's not a name that has been heavily connected to New England throughout the pre-draft process, but maybe that should change.
Kiper has New England taking defensive end Akheem Mesidor from Miami at No. 31, the third-ranked pass rusher of the class on PFF's big board. If he is somehow still available at the end of the round, there's no reason for the Patriots to pass on him, especially when you see how Kiper describes his college career and potential in the NFL.
Mel Kiper has the Patriots selecting the perfect pass rusher for what their defense needs in his final mock draft
Knowing that the Patriots need a game-wrecking pass rusher for their defense, Messidor is looking more and more like the kind of player who could become a superstar in no time.
Draft experts have said as much, along with Kiper, who believes he could become a "feared disrupter" in the AFC East. What more could the Patriots and their fans want?
"Mesidor is supremely talented, with 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures and 11 run stops in 2025. But he's also 25 years old and has some injury history over his six-year college career. If the Patriots are comfortable with the durability risk, they could absolutely use his production.
Their 35 sacks tied for seventh fewest last season, and swapping in Dre'Mont Jones for K'Lavon Chaisson was the team's main change on the edge this offseason. Mesidor could quickly become a feared disrupter in the AFC East."
Those are the magic words, to say the least.
That is the kind of player the Patriots have lacked on their defensive line for far too long, arguably since Matthew Judon suited up in Foxboro, and even he wasn't always the most consistent. Since trading him during the 2024 offseason, the pass rush has been a weak spot of the defense, so if Messidor can be the answer, the Patriots need to jump on the chance.
Clearly, he's highly regarded by draft experts and the idea of him becoming a menace in the division, particularly against the likes of a quarterback like Josh Allen, who they have historically struggled against, that's enough reason right there to use a pick on him.
He already has a connection built into the staff, as he got to know current personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith since he transferred to Miami during Highsmith's first year as the Hurricanes' GM of football operations.
That could come in handy, and work in Mesidor's favor, which ultimately benefits the Patriots, as well, and even better if he can become the dominant pass rusher they desperately need.
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