NFL Draft grades: Cleveland Browns receive high marks for choosing Michigan DT Mason Graham

With the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns chose Michigan Wolverines football defensive tackle Mason Graham.

Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: A

“A powerful interior defender, Graham was the heartbeat of Michigan’s defense and one of the most difficult individual matchups in college football,” Baumgardner and Dochterman wrote. “In Cleveland’s 4-3 defense, he should be perfect alongside [defensive end] Myles Garrett and instantly help a mediocre run defense.

“It was smart by Cleveland not to press for need and instead go with the best player available. Graham was a consensus first-team All-American (3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss), but he did so much more than just compile statistics — he consistently won snaps with low and powerful jolts, combined with rare lateral quickness. He also was the Rose Bowl MVP in a College Football Playoff semifinal and help guide Michigan to the national title two seasons ago. And he’s tough, as demonstrated by the fact that he missed only two games after thumb surgery during the 2023 season.”

Ian Valentino, The 33rd Team: A

“It took a lot for Cleveland to move off Travis Hunter, but their trade return was worth it,” Valentino wrote. “Picking up Mason Graham addresses a massive need they’ve had for years at defensive tackle.

“He’s not [former Rams defensive tackle] Aaron Donald, but he has the quickness, power, and field vision to be an eight-time Pro Bowler for Cleveland.”

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A-

“The Browns passed on taking [wide receiver / cornerback Travis] Hunter and also don’t take Shedeur Sanders to fill their void at franchise QB. Instead, after adding a ton of draft capital with the Jaguars trade, end up with a safe, high-motor inside havoc wreaker to pair with two-time reigning Sporting News defensive player of the year, end Myles Garrett,” Iyer wrote.

Danny Kelly, The Ringer: B+

“After trading out of the No. 2 spot and adding a haul of draft capital, the Browns stick at No. 5 and take a big-time bruiser in Graham,” Kelly wrote. “The former Wolverines star has a quick first step and tons of power, bringing pocket-collapsing talent to the Cleveland defensive line. Graham complements Myles Garrett well and should be a long-time starter, but taking a relatively boring defensive tackle instead of one of the most exciting prospects in my lifetime in Travis Hunter is definitely anticlimactic. The extra picks should help the Browns find their quarterback of the future (or fill gaps on the roster), so the process looks sound, but I won’t blame Browns fans for feeling a little deflated.”

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: B

“Defensive tackles who can thrive in both phases of the game are more rare than anything else at the NFL level,” Sobleski wrote. “How many defensive tackles are capable of being a strong run defender and consistent pass-rushing threats? Only seven interior defenders managed at least eight sacks last season.

“Planet theory applies here: Only so many men walking this planet are big enough, strong enough and athletic enough to be truly disruptive three-down players. Graham is one of them.”

Gilberto Manzano and Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: B

“This is one of the best defensive tackle classes we’ve seen in years, and Graham is universally viewed at the top of the heap,” Sports Illustrated wrote. “Starring for the Wolverines over the past two years, he’s been a first-team All-Big Ten member and a first-team All-American over that span while notching nine sacks across three years in Ann Arbor.”

Rob Rang, Fox Sports: B

“As safe as the cracker that shares his name, Graham is the blue-collar tough guy that fits what the Cleveland Browns are trying to build,” Rang wrote. “He is a disruptive presence whose game should only take off with all of the attention opponents will be dedicating to Myles Garrett. Graham is a good player, but the beauty of this selection is the fact that the Browns also received the 2026 first-round pick from Jacksonville as part of the deal.”

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: B-

“Cleveland appears to be steeling itself for a painful 2025 before embracing a true overhaul in 2026, when it will have two first-rounders – both potentially very early ones – and be able to fully split from Deshaun Watson,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “So why not then try to move back again? Maybe there wasn’t sufficient interest from a team wanting to jump up for someone like [running back] Ashton Jeanty, but this still feels like settling a bit. Graham’s quickness and motor should help him make a mark quickly, but he might not constitute the true building block this franchise desperately needs. But he’s at least a step in the right direction for a defense trying to re-establish its former dominance with Myles Garrett back in the fold.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: C

“Cleveland has been looking to upgrade inside for a long time,” Prisco pointed out. “Graham will help that. But I am not sure how dominant he can be because of his size. I like him. I don’t love him.”