Akheem Mesidor’s rise has become one of the few bright spots in a brutal Chargers season.
Los Angeles is sitting at 0-6, and the offense has dragged the team into a nightmare start. But while that side of the ball has struggled to produce anything close to consistent, the defense has settled in since Week 2 and given the Chargers something to hang onto.
That turnaround has come with rookie edge rusher Akheem Mesidor playing a bigger and bigger role. Mesidor, the Chargers’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, didn’t exactly burst out of the gate. Leading into the bye week, though, he has emerged as a clear bright spot for a defense trying to keep the team in games.
His play has caught the attention of some of the Chargers’ biggest names, including All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr.
"[Mesidor's] a beast, bro. He's going to be one of the top edges in this league. I can't wait," James said.
"I keep seeing him ascend. Very smart, don't say too many words. Just shows up to work, and I feel like he's a great reason why the defense is one of the top ones for sure."
Through the first part of the season, Mesidor has logged 24 tackles, which is tied for fifth on the team, and 2.5 sacks, second on the roster. At 25, he has stood out for the kind of nonstop effort and high motor that have helped define what has been a strong Chargers defense.
Defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary said Mesidor’s early games were part of the adjustment process, but the rookie is now showing what the team expected when it drafted him.
"The first couple games you feel like maybe he was feeling it out a little bit," said defensive coordinator Chris O' Leary.
"But this is a guy that's now playing the way we expect him to play, which is fast and violent, and then letting his tools and his traits show up."
In Other News...
Jets Dream Trade Raises An Awkward Question About Their Future
With the Jets searching for a spark and the trade deadline approaching, one idea floated by Mike Ginnitti was at least flashy enough to get attention: a possible deal for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. It is the kind of speculative swing that says as much about New Yorks current frustration as it does about Herberts standing around the league, since the Los Angeles quarterback remains one of the few names capable of changing a franchises direction overnight.
The problem, of course, is that this is far more fantasy than fit. Herberts status gives him significant control over where he plays, and any path out of Los Angeles would have to start with him choosing to leave. For now, the Chargers can keep building around a quarterback whose performance still makes him one of the leagues most intriguing assets, even as the conversation around his future continues to invite the kind of outside interest that would not stop with the Jets. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Land In Trade Buzz For A Reason Fans Will Debate
The deadline chatter around the Chargers has not exactly turned into an aggressive selling campaign, but it has at least put a few familiar names into the conversation. ESPNs Jeremy Fowler framed Los Angeles as a team that still appears more inclined to hold than deal, even while pointing to players such as Khalil Mack, Quentin Johnston and Donte Jackson as the sorts of pieces that would draw attention if the front office ever changed course.
For now, that leaves the Chargers in the familiar spot of being discussed as much for what they might do as for what they actually plan to do. Around the league, teams such as Kansas City and the Jets are also being watched for possible deadline movement, and those ripple effects can matter in a hurry if a market starts to form for veterans or young players with upside. Whether Los Angeles ever steps into that market is still the bigger question, and it is the kind of one fans will keep debating until the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Backfield Suddenly Feels More Complicated Around Kimani Vidal
A quiet part of the Chargers' backfield picture got noisier this week when Greg Desrosiers Jr. left the organization and landed with the Giants. Desrosiers had been sitting on Los Angeles' practice squad after a strong preseason showing, the kind of production that can make a depth-running-back stash feel like a small luxury until another club comes calling and opens a spot.
Kimani Vidal is the name adding even more intrigue now, because there have also been reports that teams are checking on his availability. Nothing has been finalized, and the Chargers still have decisions to make about how they want to sort out the depth behind their lead options, but the combination of a departed practice-squad back and outside interest in Vidal makes the room feel more unsettled than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]