5 things to know about Mason Graham, Browns No. 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – Cleveland Browns
2025-04-25T01:33:37Z
Graham was widely considered the top DT prospect of the draft class after a dominant career at Michigan
Staff Writer The Browns drafted DT Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft after completing a trade with the Jaguars to move back from pick No. 2. Here are five things to know about Cleveland’s new first-round pick. Graham was consistently one of the most productive and disruptive defensive tackles in the nation each of his three years with Michigan. He was an All-American for the second time in his career last season after totaling 45 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defender, and the Outlander Award, given to the nation’s best lineman. Graham finished his college career with 108 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. One of Graham’s best games of his career was when Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State in 2024—Graham played a huge part in clogging the interior of the defense with a career-high seven tackles, fueling Michigan’s defense to shut down a formidable Buckeyes offense in a 13-10 win. Graham also totaled three tackles and tackle for a loss in Michigan’s College Football Playoff win in the semifinals against Alabama in 2023. He was one of the Wolverines’ most valuable players en route to winning the National Championship that year, finishing with 36 tackles, three sacks and a career-best eight tackles for a loss. Take a look back at Mason Graham’s football career from his days in college to becoming the Cleveland Browns’ 2025 first-round draft pick. Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham chats with others as he waits to run a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) FILE – Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) rushes during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) walks off the field following an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) FILE – Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) warms up during the NCAA college football team’s spring game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Graham was widely valued as the top defensive tackle prospect in a draft class flush with interior prospects. The position was considered one of the deepest of the class, and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Graham as the top DT of the group. Brugler wrote that Graham “is a leverage monster and skillfully destroys blocks with his strength, quickness, motor and play recognition to make an impact versus both pass and run. He projects as a versatile interior presence with the floor of an NFL starter.” Browns Executive Vice President and General Manager Andrew Berry called Graham a “DNA match for our defense” and believes he’ll slot perfectly inside defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defensive line schemes. Graham will help either command attention away from DE Myles Garrett or exploit one-on-one battles inside with his 6-foot-4, 306-pound frame, which makes him the biggest defensive tackle on the roster. He joins Shelby Harris, Maliek Collins, Mike Hall Jr., Ralph Holley, and Jowon Briggs inside the room. Graham was a dominant wrestler at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., where he was a two-time conference champion heavyweight grappler. He only joined the wrestling team because he lived too far from school to go home before basketball practice, so his football coach convinced him to join the wrestling team to fill the gap, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter. In addition to wrestling, football and basketball, Graham also played rugby. Become a Season Ticket Member Lock in your seat for every home game and elevate your experience with exclusive savings at the Browns Pro Shop, concession discounts, early ticket access, and more. A look at draft night for the Browns No. 5 overall pick DT Mason Graham. Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham puts on a hat after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham walks through the crowd after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham poses after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tyler Kaufman/AP Content Services for the NFL) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham poses on the carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Gabriel capped a long but successful college career with a huge year at Oregon in 2024 Cleveland fans react to the Browns drafting a local tight end who set FBS records in 2024 Gabriel’s 155 career touchdowns set an all-time career FBS record Hannin has a deep of local ties as they come, and he will continue his wildly successful journey toward tight end stardom in Northeast Ohio Fannin played three seasons at Bowling Green Cleveland fans react to adding another OSU player to the Browns Social media was full of highlight reels of Schwesinger after he was drafted by the Browns Judkins is yet another Buckeye joining the Browns—and he’ll have a chance to become an immediate difference-maker Schwesinger was one of the speediest tacklers in the nation in his senior season at UCLA Judkins totaled 94 carries for 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024 season at OSU Schwesinger played in 38 career games in three seasons at UCLA Graham didn’t need much time to see why the Browns believe he’ll be a great fit for their defensive line during his first day in Cleveland
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