Cleveland Browns Receive Disheartening Analysis for Drafting Mason Graham

The Cleveland Browns aren't exactly getting a whole lot of love for drafting Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham.

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham after he is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number five pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Much to the chagrin of their fans, the Cleveland Browns decided to trade the No. 2 pick of the NFL Draft, acquiring the fifth selection from the Jacksonville Jaguars that they used to select Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham.

Browns fans wanted Travis Hunter, but instead, Cleveland opted to move down, address its defense and acquire more draft capital.

Graham definitely isn't a flashy pick, and Browns fans are certainly not the only ones questioning whether or not the front office made the right decision.

Take Pete Prisco of CBS Sports, for example, who gave Cleveland a C-plus grade for the Graham pick.

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

Graham was the clear consensus best interior defensive lineman in a draft class that was relatively thin at defensive tackle, so perhaps his stock was inflated based off of that.

Still, one cannot deny that the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham was a force at Michigan, rattling off 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his final sesaon with the Wolverines. He also helped lead Michigan to a national championsip in 2023.

All of that said, Graham is unquestionably one of the least exciting selections the Browns could have made in a draft class that included Hunter, Abdul Carter and Ashton Jeanty, not to mention Shedeur Sanders.

One thing is for sure, though: Cleveland just landed some pretty significant help for Myles Garrett in the trenches, so perhaps the Browns' defense will bounce back in a big way next season.

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