Los Angeles Chargers take Canadian Mesidor in first round of NFL draft

Mesidor, who played collegiately at Miami, became the sixth Canadian-born player taken in the first round. But he’s the first Canuck on the defensive side of the ball to achieve the milestone.

The Chargers’ selection of Mesidor, from Ottawa, means at least one Canadian has been taken in the NFL draft since 2011. He was the fourth edge rusher off the board in the first 22 selections and second Hurricane as teammate Rueben Bain Jr. went 15th overall to Tampa Bay.

“He was an outstanding player with Rueben Bain with the Hurricanes,” Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network’s draft guru, said of Mesidor. “This guy plays with unbelievable passion and energy on the edge, inside as well.”

Jeremiah has long been bullish on Mesidor. Jeremiah had Mesidor ranked 18th in his first top-50 prospects list and over his three mock drafts had Mesidor going 17th overall to Detroit, No. 20 to Dallas and most recently No. 15 to Tampa Bay.

Jeremiah knows a thing or two about player evaluation, He has NFL personnel/scouting experience with the Baltimore Ravens (2003-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-08) and Philadelphia Eagles (2010-12).

The six-foot-three 265-pound Mesidor enjoyed a stellar 2025 season. He started 15 games and registered 63 tackles (36 solo, 17.5 for loss) with 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Mesidor finished the year by recording three tackles (two solo) and two sacks in Miami’s 27-21 NCAA championship loss to Indiana.

Mesidor was an All-ACC first-team selection. He played his first two collegiate seasons at West Virginia and started 52 of 65 career NCAA games, recording 205 tackles (121 solo, 50.5 for loss) and 33.5 sacks.

Following the season, Mesidor attended the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., in January before participating in the NFL combine in Indianapolis in February.

Mesidor said Thursday he had a formal visit with Los Angeles before the draft.

Tuli Tuipulotu had a team-high 13 sacks last season for the Chargers. Los Angeles also re-signed veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack to a one-year deal as the 35-year-old returns for a 13th NFL campaign and fourth with L.A.

“Mack is a little bit older at 35,” Jeremiah said. “So they (Chargers) want to get somebody who can be that successor but someone who can roll through like they do.”

Mesidor plans to bend Mack’s ear this season.

“He’s a legend,” Mesidor said of Mack. “I’m going to learn so much from him.

“I can’t wait.”

Mesidor’s age has been a talking point throughout the off-season and was something he had to address again Thursday. It’s unlikely to go away any time soon given new teammate Tuipulotu is just 23.

“The age stuff, any of the negativity that people push into the media about me is all out the window,” he said. “That does not faze me, I’m here to play football.

“I’m ready to come in, earn the respect of my teammates and my coaches and compete. I’m mature, I have the football IQ and when it comes to the field, I’ve got the motor, the relentless effort and athletic ability to rush the passer and set an edge. I’m coming in ready to play.”

Mesidor was also ranked first overall by the CFL scouting bureau earlier this week in its final top-20 prospects for the league’s draft Tuesday night. Mesidor also held down the No. 1 spot in the fall and winter lists.

Mesidor will still be eligible for selection Tuesday. But instead of being a blue-chip prospect, he’ll now be viewed by CFL teams as a definite future selection.

The NFL draft continues with the second and third rounds going Friday night. The remaining four rounds will be held Saturday.

Two other Canadians could hear their names called this weekend. Louisville defensive lineman Rene Konga, of Ottawa, is projected as a potential mid-round pick while Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor, of Lunenburg, N.S., could go in the later rounds.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Los Angeles Chargers take Canadian Mesidor in first round of NFL draft

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