Left tackle and edge rusher are the two most notable holes remaining on the Detroit Lions' roster through one week of free agency.
Center's been addressed, as well as depth in their DB room. But, with Al-Quadin Muhammad finally walking in free agency, and the loss of Roy Lopez to the Arizona Cardinals, the Lions are in sore need of reinforcements on their defensive line. The same could be still said about their tackle room, despite signing Larry Borom to a deal.
That might be why CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell's latest mock draft amidst free agency has the Lions taking Akheem Mesidor at 17th overall, rather than the recently popular pick of a tackle at that spot.
"The Lions restocked their offense with the signing of center Cade Mays and running back Isiah Pacheco, but they still need a cheap edge rusher who can immediately start opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Mesidor, who will turn 25 this year, can do just that. He ranked top five nationally in sacks (12.5, tied for third in the FBS), tackles for loss (17.5, tied for fifth) and quarterback pressures (67, tied for fourth) in 2025 opposite the aforementioned Bain at Miami."
Lions mocked to take edge at 17 with no free agency signings at the position
Mesidor's age is certainly a factor to consider for Detroit, but they would be getting as close to a pro-ready rookie as you could secure in the draft. He shined next to Rueben Bain Jr. at Miami, and would be a great compliment in Aidan Hutchinson in that same respect.
From Lance Zierlein's profile on the defender:
"Mesidor is an instinctive, high-effort edge rusher with a fluid rush style and a deep toolbox. He bursts upfield and can shrink the corner while punishing oversetting tackles with inside counters. He strings moves together with effortless mid-rush adjustments, utilizing harmonious hands and feet to carve efficient tracks into the pocket. He’s a problem for guards when reduced inside, too."
Aside from the obvious hole created by Muhammad walking, the Lions are also without a key defensive tackle in Lopez after he left for Arizona. The team hasn't even brought back DJ Reader, another tackle from 2025 who didn't exactly jump off the page despite his veteran experience.
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If Detroit can land someone like Mesidor who plays well inside against guards, that solves the issue of the Lions losing pressure from Lopez up front.
Additionally, this is probably just Brad Holmes' best way to cheaply solve their problems at the edge. Mesidor would be under a rookie deal for four years, while Hutchinson is getting paid out on his extension and the Lions work to get other deals done with the rest of their core.
His age could also work out in the Lions' favor. By the time he is touching 30, he'll either have begun to hit his ceiling or possibly begun to plateau, making it financially viable for them to cut ties with him if he's expecting a payday similar to what Hutchinson's gotten - barring, of course, an elite first few years with the Lions.