Mason

Graham

After securing a picks cache for trading down from No. 2 overall, the Browns went meat and potatoes for what is still their highest pick since 2018. A certified havoc engine on Michigan’s defensive front, Graham (6’3/318) evolved into one of the most disruptive interior presences in college football. With a burly build and a wrestling background that shows up in his elite leverage and balance, Graham logged a stellar 91.1 overall PFF grade in 2024, bolstered by a jaw-dropping 92.6 run defense grade. He’s the rare DT who consistently wins early in reps, leveraging his 81.1 pass rush grade with violent, accurate hands and an elite first step that slingshots him past lateral blocks. Despite lacking prototypical length, Graham compensates with a nonstop motor, lateral twitch, and a nose for the football. He logged 30 defensive stops and 20 hurries in 2024, showing disruptive consistency whether aligned in three tech or shading out to five tech. His ability to two-gap and stack versus power run schemes is already NFL-caliber, as evidenced by his standout play against Texas. Graham is a film junkie who routinely diagnoses screens and play-action, evident in his instinctive recognition and pursuit. However, his modest sack production (3.5 in 2024) underscores his limitations in length and closing burst on longer-developing plays. He projects as an immediate starter for even-front schemes seeking a high-floor, high-effort penetrator. While Graham may never lead your team in sacks, he’ll anchor your line with blue-collar toughness, technical refinement, and violent trench play.

Dulac added that defensive tackle prospects Mason Graham, Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon and Kenneth Grant sit atop the Steelers’ draft board. Pittsburgh has reportedly offered Aaron Rodgers a one-year deal and are “willing to wait” for his decision, at least for now. Dulac notes that the Steelers “are still spooked by the whole Kenny Pickett evaluation,” adding that “they took the best quarterback in a very average draft class, and I don’t think they want to make that mistake again.” Per Dulac, both Dart and Sanders will be “in the conversation” for the Steelers, if their preferred defensive linemen prospects are gone, but the pecking order is believed to be “defensive line, running back, wide receiver and quarterback, and you throw a cornerback in there somewhere.” Dulac firmly believes that the Steelers are “all in” on trading up for a “marquee” quarterback prospect in 2026, if nothing pans out this year.

Regarded by many as the top defensive tackle in this year’s draft, Graham will meet with both the Browns and Raiders this week as he makes his rounds with potential landing spots. The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, which is currently the only first-round pick in their possession. It’s highly unlikely they would use that top pick on Graham, but the Raiders, who hold the No. 6 overall pick, could be more realistic suitors for the highly decorated Michigan man. Graham was a unanimous All-American last season and earned second-team All-American honors in 2023. In three seasons at Michigan, he totaled 108 tackles, nine sacks, and 18 TFLs. Wherever he lands, he should hear his name called very early on draft day.

A likely top five pick in this year’s draft, Graham becomes the latest incoming rookie to shirk most combine workouts this week, as he will instead go through a complete workout at Michigan’s pro day. Graham put together a dominant final season at Michigan, totaling 45 tackles, seven TFLs, and 3.5 sacks while earning First-Team All-American honors. Graham has already met with a handful of teams holding high draft picks and will be an immediate upgrade for whatever defense he lands on.