The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have several legitimate needs entering the NFL Draft, but the most glaring of those needs are on the defensive side of the ball.
That might make some Bucs' fans uneasy given their affliction for offensive help. Sure, Baker Mayfield, who is entering a critical season, could use the help, but Tampa's biggest issue is on the other side of the ball.
This year's draft may not work out the way Jason Licht hopes, but one player is starting to make more and more sense at 15, and no one is talking about him. Akheem Mesidor could provide Tampa with the power it needs on the defensive front.
A perfect Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick is already in the state of Florida
Tampa needs linebacker help, but they added to that group in free agency when they signed Alec Anzalone. They could use cornerback help, but with Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy both likely gone by 15, they may as well wait until round two. That leaves defensive tackle and an edge-rusher as the top priorities.
Mesidor is considered one of the best edge defenders in this year's class. Most draft experts believe he is only behind Texas Tech's David Bailey and Ohio State's Arvell Reese. Mesidor has spent most of this draft season as the number four edge player, just behind Keldric Faulk. That is starting to change.
Faulk has a lot of upside, but there are questions surrounding his ability to take a jump at the next level. Some see him as already maxed out. A one-note attacker who has to get better at pass-rushing, an integral part of being an edge-defender.
Mesidor is different. Despite being 25-years-old, the Miami University DE has a plethora of moves off the boundary. Capable of taking one-on-one reps against NFL-type tackles, Mesidor can move around the line utilizing stunts to mask his blitzing.
The bonus here is that he has the chops to play 3, 5, and even 7 tech off the ball. Considering the Bucs also need DT help, getting a boundary DT with the ability to play as a standup rusher is beneficial to the defense.
The downside for Mesidor is his age. The window for his success will inevitably be shorter, but that doesn't mean he can't carve out a 10-year NFL career or longer; he just has a couple more years ahead of most prospects.
Mesidor has also had an injury history. That is a bit more concerning, but reports indicate that all of his medical issues have been cleared. In this day of American football, it's nearly impossible to find a player who doesn't have some history of being banged up.
The Bucs may not be looking at him at pick 15, but he falls within the range of where they will be picking. It's a smart move, especially if Jason Licht can trade down, gather a couple of more selections, and get him in the 20's.
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