By Sunday 
There’s something almost funny about the way draft narratives work.
One minute, a guy posts 12.5 sacks, 38 solo tackles, and four forced fumbles at … the next minute, he’s being “written off.”
Why?
Because he’ll be 25 as a rookie.
That’s the cloud hovering over heading into the 2026 draft. And honestly? It might be the very reason should be circling his name in bold.
The “Old” Label Is Doing Heavy Lifting
As the original piece put it, Mesidor is being downgraded because of what his age would be at the start of the 2026 season — 25.
Meanwhile, would be entering his fifth season at just one year older than that.
On paper, it sounds risky. By the end of a rookie contract, Mesidor would be pushing 29 — possibly “at, or declining from, his peak as a defender.”
But here’s the thing.
He’s not some long-term project who needs three seasons to figure out how to rush the passer. He already did the hard part.
He’s Not a Project — He’s Proven
Holmes has shown he loves upside swings. Developmental traits. Versatility. Ceiling.
But Mesidor “isn’t even a project — he’s simply ‘old.’”
He slimmed down this past season and transitioned from a tackle-edge hybrid into more of a pure edge rusher. The result? A breakout campaign that forced scouts to look twice.
He brings:
- Run defense versatility
- Experience lining up inside and outside
- Real production against top competition
- Relentless pass-rush energy
That’s not theoretical upside. That’s tape.
The Lions’ Draft Board Reality
At pick 17, the could be staring at a tricky board.
Edge rushers like , , and may be gone by then. Detroit sits in that uncomfortable middle ground — too late for the consensus favorites, too early to justify settling.
Mesidor could be the pivot point.
The article puts it plainly: Detroit would have to decide “right in the first round whether he’s worth the swing.”
And that’s exactly what this is — a swing.
The Risk Everyone’s Talking About
Yes, age matters.
Yes, there’s injury history (foot issues).
And yes, the idea of a 29-year-old finishing his rookie deal makes some front offices nervous.
But let’s be honest: the NFL is about impact windows. If Mesidor gives you four high-level years opposite Hutchinson? That’s a win.
Holmes has never drafted scared. He drafts conviction.
And if Mesidor’s run-defense ability and pass-rush tenacity are truly “piquing Holmes’ interest,” this feels like one of those picks fans question in April… and praise in November.
Sometimes the “Risk” Is Just Perspective
Calling a 25-year-old “too old” in a league full of 30-year-old Pro Bowlers is a little ironic.
As the author joked at the end:
“Now, excuse me while this 29 year old continues to strain their back by simply sleeping incorrectly.”
If that doesn’t perfectly sum up draft-age discourse, I don’t know what does.
Mesidor isn’t falling because he can’t play.
He’s falling because of math.
And if history tells us anything, those are exactly the kinds of inefficiencies smart front offices exploit.
Don’t be shocked if Brad Holmes sees what others are overthinking.