Perhaps lost in all the talk about the unbelievable NFL draft slide of Shedeur Sanders as the actual first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in former Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham. In three years in Ann Arbor, Graham turned the heads of NFL scouts with his excellent play with the Wolverines, whom he helped win the College Football Playoff national title in the 2023 NCAA campaign.
Selected fifth overall in the draft, Graham has received some high praise from outside observers, including one anonymous coach in the Big Ten conference.
“He was the most disruptive player in our league last year,” a Big Ten coach said (via Adam Rittenberg of ESPN). “He was really good.”
Graham will now look to help the Browns improve on defense, as he partners with star pass rusher Myles Garrett on the defensive line. In 2024, the Browns were just 27th in the league with an average of 35.6 points allowed per contest and 18th with 342.1 total yards surrendered per contest.
Cleveland Browns took Graham despite weight concerns
Graham grabbed attention when he reportedly showed up in the NFL Combine weighing 296 pounds, which is over 20 pounds under his playing weight during this time with the Browns. However, Graham later noted that he was able to gain some of the weight back before hearing his name called in the draft.
“I was like 304 when I arrived at the Combine and that kind of week took a toll on me,” Graham said (h/t Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com). “I was in medical from 10 (a.m.) to 7:30 p.m., I missed some of my formal visits, but I feel like the weight’s not an issue. I’m 310 right now, I feel really good and kind of ready to go just right into rookie minicamp.”
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