JUST IN: Michigan DT Mason Graham was picked by the Cleveland Browns at No. 5 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft! MORE:
With the fifth pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham on Thursday night.
The story of Michigan Football’s recent success cannot be told without the contributions of Graham, one of the best interior defensive linemen in the history of the program. At 6-foot-3.5 and about 300 pounds, Graham played in 39 career games in Ann Arbor, totaling 108 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble.
Graham was a one-man wrecking crew at times. Due to his wrestling background, he was oftentimes able to win at the point of attack thanks to his quick hands and ballerina-like balance. His high football IQ put him in the right positions to succeed, and his high motor helped him make plays that the average defensive lineman isn’t able to make.
He also made huge contributions during the biggest games of the last few seasons for the Wolverines. He posted seven tackles (his season high) in Michigan’s monster upset win at Ohio State this past fall. Graham also combined for nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup over the final four games of the 2023 national championship-winning season.
Perhaps Graham’s most memorable play in a Michigan uniform will be on Alabama’s final drive in the Rose Bowl, easily getting past left guard Tyler Booker — who will also be drafted very high in this year’s draft — and taking the running back down for a tackle for loss. He displayed many of his strengths all on that one pivotal play.
2nd down – Mason Graham blows by the LG for the biggest TFL of the year.
3rd down – Bama tests Josh Wallace again and again, Josh Wallace shows who’s boss. pic.twitter.com/hpeo1zjDYR
— Due# (@JDue51) January 3, 2024
There’s a lot to like about Graham’s physical traits and productivity, and he’s the type of player that should continue to get better with age. If there’s an area to nit pick, it’s his size, as he weighed in at 296 pounds with 32-inch arms at the NFL Combine. Those numbers aren’t ideal for an NFL defensive tackle, but he has the skills to make up for it.