HOT TAKE: Cowboys Should PASS on Akheem Mesidor | 2026 NFL Draft DEBATE!

In this episode of Locked On Cowboys, hosts Marcus Mosier and Landon McCool debate whether the Dallas Cowboys should draft Akeem Mesidor in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mosier takes a cautious stance, arguing that Mesidor’s 25-year-old age and history of multiple lower-body injuries—including two foot surgeries—make him too risky for a first-round pick, despite his productive college performances. He questions whether a player who dominated older college tackles truly translates to NFL readiness, citing precedents like Terrence Newman and Kevin Dodd to underscore the risks of drafting older, injury-plagued prospects. McCool counters that Mesidor’s age is partly a result of his injury history, not inherent lack of talent, and that he was a freshman All-American and produced at a high level early in his career. He emphasizes that Mesidor’s 2022 breakout at Miami, with an 87 PFF grade, suggests he was ready to shine earlier, and that his position changes and transfers were situational rather than indicative of long-term limitations. Both agree the 2026 draft class is shallow at the top, making riskier picks more justifiable, but Mosier remains skeptical about drafting Mesidor in the top 12. The discussion highlights the tension between player potential and injury risk in the modern NFL draft landscape. Key takeaways include: 1) Age and injury history should not be double-counted when evaluating prospects; 2) Akeem Mesidor’s 2022 performance at Miami suggests he was ready for the NFL earlier than his draft profile implies; 3) The Cowboys should consider Mesidor in the second round, not the first, due to his risk profile; 4) The 2026 draft class’s lack of elite edge rushers may make a high-risk pick more palatable; 5) Positional versatility and system fit matter more than raw age when assessing older prospects. The overall sentiment is cautiously balanced, with both hosts acknowledging valid arguments on either side.