Browns pick Michigan DT Mason Graham at No. 5 in NFL draft first round: Highlights, stats

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Browns pick Michigan DT Mason Graham at No. 5 in NFL draft first round: Highlights, stats

Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press · Detroit Free Press

Fri, Apr 25, 2025 ·

3 min read

Mason Graham journey to stardom continues

Graham, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle , is now the highest drafted interior defensive lineman in U-M history, which is not surprising given his pedigree. A Mission Viejo, California native (Servite High School), Graham played in 39 games with 27 starts over his career and finished with 107 tackles, 17 for loss, and 9½ sacks in addition to three passes deflected, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.

This past year, Graham was named a Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist, a Nagurski Trophy Finalist and an Outland Trophy finalist as one of the nation's top interior linemen. Graham was twice named to the All-Big Ten first team and, after becoming a second-team All-American in 2023, was named a unanimous All-American this past season.

There hadn't been a true knock on Graham until he weighed in at just 297 pounds at the NFL combine. Some experts said that could be cause for concern, but his former defensive line coach Lou Esposito disagreed.

"Throw that Ohio State game on, the last game (he) played here, the last game (he) ever wore their jersey here, and tell me what you think, because (he) absolutely dominated," Esposito said. "(He) dominated a great team, and dominated in a fashion that doesn't happen for D-tackles."

Graham, who was named the Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP on Jan 1, 2024, was named the defensive player of the game four times for U-M this past year.

Max Brosmer #16 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is sacked in the first half by Mason Graham #55 of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He led U-M defensive linemen with 45 tackles including seven for loss with 3½ sacks and three quarterback hurries and tied for a career-high with seven tackles in the regular season finale in Columbus.

The Wolverines are expected to have at least three first-round picks in the 2025 draft. Cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland are projected by many to go in the first round, with defensive lineman Kenneth Grant also a potential selection.

"I do think in a pretty crowded defensive tackle group at the top, (Graham) has maintained that spot, that No. 1 spot at defensive tackle and held off all the other challengers," wrote ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. earlier this month. "So I think he is the guy. If you want an interior disruptor, that is Mason Graham."

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia .