The San Francisco 49ers met with former Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, according to NBC Sports Bay Area, signaling continued efforts to bolster their pass rush ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
"The pass-rush specialist is projected as a late first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which lines up with the 49ers' current No. 27 selection," Jennifer Lee Chan wrote. "Mesidor also confirmed meeting with the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams while at the event."
San Francisco is expected to be on the hunt for pass rushers this offseason through both free agency and the draft after finishing with just 20 sacks in 2025—the fewest total in the NFL by a wide margin.
"All of the meetings went really well," Mesidor said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "It was a great experience."
Mesidor (6-2, 272) began his collegiate career at West Virginia (2020–2021) before transferring to Miami (2022–2025). Over 65 career games, he totaled 208 tackles, 52.5 tackles for loss, 35.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and five forced fumbles, according to Sports Reference.
In 2025, Mesidor played 15 games and finished with 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks, along with four forced fumbles. His 12.5 sacks led the ACC and ranked among the national leaders for the season.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Lynch made it clear that improving the 49ers' pass rush is a top priority.
Speaking to reporters in Indianapolis, 49ers general manager John Lynch made it clear that improving the team's pass rush is a top priority.
"I think you always want to get better as a team," Lynch said. "Now, one tangible thing, we've always prided ourselves on our defensive front, and getting after people. And last year, if you just look at the numbers—now, I don't think the numbers are always reflective. I felt like there were games where we put a lot of pressure on. But you've got to put the quarterback down, and so that's something that we want to address, and we will address."
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