“Pretty Far Ahead Right Now”: Cleveland Browns Continue To Look Smart By Drafting Mason Graham Fifth Overall In 2025 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns biggest story of the offseason has been the quarterback competition. Cleveland also decided to make some bold moves during the 2025 NFL Draft as well.

The Browns traded down with the Jacksonville Jaguars from the two spot to the five spot. Cleveland acquired a 2026 first-round draft pick from Jacksonville as well. Despite the Browns missing out on Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter, Cleveland decided to select defensive tackle Mason Graham from the Michigan Wolverines with the fifth selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some Browns fans feel like that this move maybe a mistake for the franchise, but they are going to be proven wrong otherwise.

Cleveland Browns Insider Reveals How Well Mason Graham Has Been Performing During Offseason Programs

Everyone seems to be focused on rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel competing for the starting quarterback job with Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, but there are other rookies on Cleveland’s roster to potentially watch out for. The Browns defensive tackle Graham, has been turning heads during the offseason so far and will look to make an impact in 2025 as a rookie.

Daniel Oyefusi of espn.com said,

“The spring has been a transition for Graham, who was asked to take on blockers at Michigan but will be expected to penetrate the defensive line and be more of a disruptive force in Cleveland. Despite the difference in scheme, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Graham is “pretty far ahead right now.” Graham rotated with the first-team defense during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

“You see his rush game developing, you see him launching with hands,” defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said. “It’s going to be hard, obviously coming from a read scheme, going to an attack game. But he’s done a really good job.””

Cleveland’s defensive line with Myles Garrett and Graham could cause problems in 2025. Along with Garrett and Graham, Maliek Collins and Isaiah McGuire will also be the projected starting defensive lineman on the Browns. There was a reason why Graham was projected to be a Top 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and some thought he could have gone third overall to the New York Giants. The former Wolverines defensive tackle is going to cause havoc in this league from day one.

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