Cowboys take an overlooked prospect for an overlooked problem in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Most mock drafts going around right now have the Dallas Cowboys focusing on defense, which shouldn't be a surprise given the team's performance last year, when the defense allowed over 500 points for the first time in franchise history.

However, most of the mocks I've seen so far have the Cowboys addressing linebacker, cornerback, and in some cases, safety if Caleb Downs from Ohio State is on the board. And yet, you rarely see the Cowboys taking an edge rusher, which has been odd to me because I find it to be the most overlooked need on the team.

Even co-owner Stephen Jones said earlier this month the Cowboys' biggest needs of the year were "obviously linebacker" and in the secondary. But even with second-round pick DE Donovan Ezeiruaku showing flashes of solid pass rush as a rookie, there's a not a lot to write home about. In 2025, the Cowboys struggled to rush the passer in a consistent basis, which only complicated matters in the backend of the defense.

But on Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock, he has Dallas addressing such a problem.

Cowboys take Akheem Mesidor in Kiper Jr.'s mock

Kiper Jr. mocked a prospect that "might not have gotten all of the attention he deserved, according to our very own Craig Smith, who covers the Miami Hurricanes for A to Z Sports: Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor.

"Akheem Mesidor might not have gotten all of the attention he deserved, thanks in large part to Rueben Bain, Jr. having an incredible season on the other side of the defensive line, but by the end of the College Football Playoff, he became well known to fans across the country," Smith says.

"Mesidor was a force not just during the Hurricanes' run to the national championship game, but all season as well," Smith adds. "He and Bain, Jr. wrecked Notre Dame's offensive line in Miami's season-opening win over the Irish., which was a sign of things to come for the duo in 2025."

"A question some might have is his age, as he'll be 25 going into the draft in April. However, the talent and film don't lie. He's played himself well into first-round consideration, and teams should be taking a hard look at him towards the middle-to-late stages of the first round."

As for Kiper Jr., he sees Mesidor as an opportunity to make up for the Micah Parsons trade. Here's what he had to say about him in his mock:

"Mesidor has battled injuries, but his toolbox is full. His bend, burst and power could help the Cowboys recapture some of the pass-rush juice they lost when they traded Micah Parsons in August. Mesidor can get into the backfield quickly and finish, registering 17.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles this past season."

Cowboys can't underestimate pass rush again

After the Parsons trade, the Cowboys hit fans and media members with a phrase that was telling about how much they underestimated dealing away their superstar defender.

"We felt like, because of our depth on the edge, as well as the ability to scheme pressure, that we could make up for Micah because obviously he's elite at rushing the passer," Stephen Jones told reporters last August.

But it turns out scheming pressure isn't nearly as easy when you lack a star pass rusher. When Parsons was at his best, it was not only because of his elite-caliber play, but because Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer alike found ways to scheme pressures that yielded one-on-one matchups for him.

In 2026, Dallas needs to learn its lesson and acknowledge it needs better players rushing the passer. Quinnen Williams is a start on the interior, but the edges need to get better.

Pick No. 12 in Kiper Jr.'s mock

Though the focus of this post is on Mesidor and why the Cowboys could use someone like him, it's hard not to like Kiper Jr.'s prediction at No. 12: Linebacker Sonny Styles out of Ohio State.

"Styles is a former safety, and it's no surprise once you see his speed," Kiper Jr. writes. "He can close on ball carriers and pass catchers in a flash. With 174 tackles over the past two seasons, he's a top-10 prospect for me."

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