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The 2025 NFL Draft is just one day away from kicking off in Green Bay, and this year's draft class is once again stacked with defensive tackle talent.
Headlining that position unit is none other than Michigan football defensive tackle Mason Graham. The Wolverines' 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive tackle is widely considered to be one of the first handful of defensive players off the board and a near-unanimous pick at No. 5 overall, including USA TODAY's own mock draft.
He holds a 6.48 prospect grade on NFL.com, which means he will be a "good starter within two years, and is the No. 1 defensive tackle (No. 3 overall prospect) on ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board of prospects in this year's draft class.
REQUIRED READING: Ex-Michigan star Mason Graham draws raves from NFL draft analyst: 'Fell in love with him'
In three seasons at Michigan, Graham quickly became one of the Wolverines' top defensive players in program history as he earned All-American honors each of the last two seasons and finished with a total of 107 tackles (17 for a loss of 98 yards) and nine sacks for a loss of 65 yards.
The Wolverines' defensive star is expected to be Michigan's highest-drafted defensive player since Aidan Hutchinson went No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions, and the fifth defensive player from Ann Arbor to be taken in the first round since 2021.
Here's what you need to know about where Graham is projected to go in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with which NFL team he best fits with along with a scouting report:
Here's where NFL draft analysts have Graham going in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:
"The Jaguars are in position to take the best available player here and there can be debate on whether or not that's Graham or Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. Still, they go the safer route here, addressing a premium position to solidify a defensive line that's missing one piece."
"Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham's motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn't win right away."
"The Jaguars have holes at every level of their defense after allowing 5.9 yards per play last season (31st in the NFL), and Graham is the best available player. He impacts the game in a meaningful way as both a pass rusher and run defender with elite play strength and explosion off the snap."
"I'm out of things to say about Graham to Jacksonville -- I've projected this match in all four of my mock drafts. New coach Liam Coen might want offensive playmakers for Trevor Lawrence, but the Jaguars have a chance to finally get a pocket-pushing disruptor for the middle of the defensive line.
"With great power and quickness, Graham can get into the backfield to create interior pressure on quarterbacks and drop running backs behind the line of scrimmage. He had 3.5 sacks and 14 run stops last season."
"Newly hired general manager John Spytek prioritizes pass rush over everything else on defense. Graham doesn’t have ideal length and isn’t on the same level as a Quinnen Williams-type prospect, but he deconstructs blocks consistently and becomes a problem for offenses. Spytek and his boss, Tom Brady, being Michigan alums doesn’t hurt, either."
"Graham is such a high-floor prospect at defensive tackle with three-down upside as a disruptor regardless of whether or its a run or pass. Power, pass-rush moves, athletic gifts galore. This is what the Jaguars need on their defensive line."
Here's a scouting report from USA TODAY's Panther Wire's Jared Feinberg:
"Graham is a player whose motor is flaming hot. This has allowed him to make plays in the backfield off pure effort and hustle alone.His explosiveness and initial get-off will put a strain on guards and force them to either overset or lean into their blocks on occasion. Graham takes advantage of this using powerful hands to shock linemen and compromise their anchor. ... As talented as Graham is, he is still an evolving and developing player. He’ll sometimes play too high with his pads and compromise his ability to anchor and establish a wide, firm base at the point of attack. He also doesn’t have the biggest reach and limited tackle radius, And while that isn’t a significant detriment to his game, it is something to keep an eye on during his professional career."
Click here to read the full scouting report on the Michigan defensive tackle.
Here's what USA TODAY' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz believes is the best fit for Graham:
"Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham's motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn't win right away."
The projection: Jacksonville Jaguars
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mason Graham mock draft: Michigan DT's NFL draft projections
Continue reading...
Headlining that position unit is none other than Michigan football defensive tackle Mason Graham. The Wolverines' 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive tackle is widely considered to be one of the first handful of defensive players off the board and a near-unanimous pick at No. 5 overall, including USA TODAY's own mock draft.
He holds a 6.48 prospect grade on NFL.com, which means he will be a "good starter within two years, and is the No. 1 defensive tackle (No. 3 overall prospect) on ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board of prospects in this year's draft class.
REQUIRED READING: Ex-Michigan star Mason Graham draws raves from NFL draft analyst: 'Fell in love with him'
In three seasons at Michigan, Graham quickly became one of the Wolverines' top defensive players in program history as he earned All-American honors each of the last two seasons and finished with a total of 107 tackles (17 for a loss of 98 yards) and nine sacks for a loss of 65 yards.
The Wolverines' defensive star is expected to be Michigan's highest-drafted defensive player since Aidan Hutchinson went No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions, and the fifth defensive player from Ann Arbor to be taken in the first round since 2021.
Here's what you need to know about where Graham is projected to go in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with which NFL team he best fits with along with a scouting report:
Where will Michigan's Mason Graham go in 2025 NFL Draft?
Here's where NFL draft analysts have Graham going in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:
USA TODAY Sports Network Live Mock Draft:Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"The Jaguars are in position to take the best available player here and there can be debate on whether or not that's Graham or Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. Still, they go the safer route here, addressing a premium position to solidify a defensive line that's missing one piece."
USA TODAY: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham's motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn't win right away."
ESPN's Field Yates: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"The Jaguars have holes at every level of their defense after allowing 5.9 yards per play last season (31st in the NFL), and Graham is the best available player. He impacts the game in a meaningful way as both a pass rusher and run defender with elite play strength and explosion off the snap."
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"I'm out of things to say about Graham to Jacksonville -- I've projected this match in all four of my mock drafts. New coach Liam Coen might want offensive playmakers for Trevor Lawrence, but the Jaguars have a chance to finally get a pocket-pushing disruptor for the middle of the defensive line.
"With great power and quickness, Graham can get into the backfield to create interior pressure on quarterbacks and drop running backs behind the line of scrimmage. He had 3.5 sacks and 14 run stops last season."
The Athletic: Round 1, No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders
"Newly hired general manager John Spytek prioritizes pass rush over everything else on defense. Graham doesn’t have ideal length and isn’t on the same level as a Quinnen Williams-type prospect, but he deconstructs blocks consistently and becomes a problem for offenses. Spytek and his boss, Tom Brady, being Michigan alums doesn’t hurt, either."
CBS Sports: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"Graham is such a high-floor prospect at defensive tackle with three-down upside as a disruptor regardless of whether or its a run or pass. Power, pass-rush moves, athletic gifts galore. This is what the Jaguars need on their defensive line."
Mason Graham scouting report
Here's a scouting report from USA TODAY's Panther Wire's Jared Feinberg:
"Graham is a player whose motor is flaming hot. This has allowed him to make plays in the backfield off pure effort and hustle alone.His explosiveness and initial get-off will put a strain on guards and force them to either overset or lean into their blocks on occasion. Graham takes advantage of this using powerful hands to shock linemen and compromise their anchor. ... As talented as Graham is, he is still an evolving and developing player. He’ll sometimes play too high with his pads and compromise his ability to anchor and establish a wide, firm base at the point of attack. He also doesn’t have the biggest reach and limited tackle radius, And while that isn’t a significant detriment to his game, it is something to keep an eye on during his professional career."
Click here to read the full scouting report on the Michigan defensive tackle.
Mason Graham's best 2025 NFL Draft fit
Here's what USA TODAY' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz believes is the best fit for Graham:
"Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham's motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn't win right away."
The projection: Jacksonville Jaguars
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mason Graham mock draft: Michigan DT's NFL draft projections
Continue reading...
