The Cleveland Browns needed to address their interior defensive line depth after parting ways with their best defensive tackle, Dalvin Tomlinson, and replacing him with Maliek Collins, a temporary fix. Shelby Harris, their other projected starter, is up there in age, turning 34 in August. Their defense could use a defensive tackle who excels at both rushing the passer and defending against the run, after they underperformed in sacks and struggled against the run.
The Browns traded their second overall pick in exchange for the fifth overall pick and other picks. With the fifth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Michigan Wolverines’ talented defensive tackle Mason Graham.
Mason Graham had a great career with Michigan
Mason Graham committed to the Michigan Wolverines as a four-star recruit for the 2022 season. Graham had a great tenure with Michigan, with 108 tackles, 18 TFLs, and nine sacks in 39 career games. His accolades include a First-Team Freshman All-American in 2022, a First-Team All-Big-10, Defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl, and a National Champion in 2023, and a First-Team All-Big-10 and All-American in 2024.
Graham had a breakout junior year, boasting career-highs in tackles and sacks. He recorded 45 tackles, seven TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 12 games. He also posted 34 pressures, 25 run stops, a 13.8% pass-rush win rate, and a 12.0% run-stop rate per PFF.
Mason Graham’s combine measurements
- Height: 6-foot-3 and a half
- Weight: 296 pounds
- Hand Length: 9 1/8″
- Arm Size: 32″
Lance Zierlein’s scouting report
“Three-technique who provides activity, effort, strength and quickness. Graham’s first-step quickness makes interior disruption inevitable. He has the instant read and response to regularly beat lateral blocks.
“He’s stout at the point of attack with great leverage and body control but will lose some ground against double teams. Graham’s lack of length makes it tougher for him to find quick wins as a rusher, but he more than makes up for it with his activity level and foot quickness.
“Harmonious hands and feet are the catalyst for his edge-to-edge counters, while his extended effort and closing burst help him get home. He may not dominate as a pro but his strength, body control and quickness should allow him to play his brand of ball and become a good starter in an upfield defensive front.”
