Draft 2026: EDGE - Akheem Mesidor, TJ Parker, Derrick Moore
The Lions are on the hunt for more pass rush this offseason
The NFL draft starts on April 23. As draft candidates for the Lions bubble up over the next few weeks, I’ll post my health concern levels for select prospects. The concern level will range from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
Here are 3 EDGE players who might interest the Lions. Two of them have been standouts at the Senior Bowl this week.
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick Summary
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (25): Foot surgery, elbow, age - 5/10 concern
TJ Parker, EDGE (22): Knee surgery - 3/10 concern
Derrick Moore, EDGE (23): High reliability - 1/10 concern
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (25) - Miami
Projected round 1. #18 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27. Mocked to Lions in 1st round by Jeremiah.
Concern level 5/10
2025: 15/16 games. Missed 1 game due to foot injury. Elbow injury during playoff semifinal but returned the next game.
2024: 13/13 games.
2023: Played 3 games. Torn ligaments in foot requiring surgery which ended his season.
2022: 11/12 games
2021: 13/13 games
2020: 10/10 games
A foot surgery for torn ligaments is definitely a concern going forward with one possible diagnosis being a Lisfranc. Any kind of foot surgery could be a chronic issue given the trickiness of the complex small anatomy. It’s reassuring however that he has played 2 strong seasons since the surgery.
The elbow is also worth looking into since he only played in one game (national championship) after that. Both of these issues will need to be fully vetted by medical.
His older age is also a significant factor. Mesidor compiled 52.5 TFL and 35.5 sacks in 6 years of college. Yes, 6 years.
TJ Parker, EDGE (22) - Clemson
Projected round 2. #38 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27
Concern level 3/10
2025: 12/13 games. Opted out of bowl.
2024: 14/14 games.
2023: 13/13 games. Knee surgery after season.
No details on the knee surgery but a common cause for a surgical knee issue that can be temporarily played through is minor cartilage damage - either meniscus or articular. It’s reassuring that he played 2 healthy seasons after the surgery. Any loss of cartilage has the potential to cause issues down the road though. On the positive side is his young age.
Parker was very productive in college with 41.5 TFL and 21.5 sacks in just 3 seasons. Some have him as the top player at the Senior Bowl…
Derrick Moore, EDGE (23) - Michigan
Projected round 2-3.
Concern level 1/10
2025: 12/13 games. Opted out of bowl game
2024: 12/13 games. Missed game with unspecified injury.
2023: 15/15 games. Won national championship.
2022: 14/14 games.
Moore has been very reliable in his college career. There are no concerns heading into the draft except ideally being 1-2 years younger.
Moore had 24.5 TFL and 21 sacks in college. Here he is showing his power at the Senior Bowl…
For more on the positional needs for the Lions heading into the offseason including the concern level of Aidan Hutchinson, read my story below…
Detroit Lions 2026 offseason health concern meter - Part 1: Returning players
The Lions have some significant health concerns coming out of the 2025 season, and some not so significant ones. Here is my ranking of the concern level - 0 (no concern) to 10 (whoa Nellie) - for key players who are under contract through at least 2026. Players who are free agents will be coming soon in a Part 2.