By this point in time, for better or worse, Detroit Lions fans know what to expect from the Brad Holmes-Dan Campbell regime in free agency. They aren't going to break the bank for much of anyone, and outside free agent signings will generally underwhelm.
The question is whether that approach, as other teams of the Lions' general ilk aren't afraid to make notable moves, has stagnated in terms of maximizing a Super Bowl window. Of course, Holmes consistently insists such a window does not exist.
A bone Lions' fans, and some analysts, like to pick is the lack of perceived effort to add a notable edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. It's not easy to do, of course, but Holmes likes to lament just how difficult it is, and the excuses hold less and less water as time goes on.
This offseason's signings of D.J. Wonnum and Payton Turner have done nothing to curb that negative sentiment.
Of course, Holmes can make things right in next month's draft by using an early pick on an edge rusher. Fortunately, it looks to be a deep class at the position.
Akheem Mesidor could give Lions the pass-rush solution they desperately need
Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus has offered some ideal-looking pairings of an incoming draft prospect with a player already on a given team.
Of course, he paired the Lions/Hutchinson with an edge rusher: Akheem Mesidor out of the University of Miami.
"Mesidor’s age (25 years old in April) may scare some teams off in the first round, but it's hard to argue against his production in college," Smith writes. "He was one of just two Power Four edge defenders to earn top-10 PFF grades as a pass rusher and a run defender in 2025. Sometimes overshadowed by projected top-10 pick Rueben Bain Jr., Mesidor was Miami's best pass rusher (90.9 PFF pass-rush grade, two sacks) in the national championship game against Indiana."
"At 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, Mesidor has the frame and production to step in from day one and be an immediate contributor for a team with a win-now mentality."
Mesidor is widely regarded as a potential top-20 overall pick, which would put him right in the Lions' wheelhouse as an option at No. 17. His age (25) and a foot injury that limited him to three games in 2023 might be a thing for some teams, but those shouldn't land as huge concerns for the Lions in the "win now" window they are in.
Mesidor actually came in at 259 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, not 280. That makes him a little lighter than the Lions tend to like in edge players, but the lauding of his talent and motor makes him the kind of player Holmes and Campbell covet.
Fans can easily envision a duo of Mesidor and Hutchinson making life very tough for opposing quarterbacks. If Mesidor becomes a Lion and that comes to fruition, all of Holmes' past oversight when it comes to adding a second viable edge rusher would be forgiven.