The Cleveland Browns emerged from the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay with one of the most praised draft hauls in recent team history. Among their new additions, one name stands out — Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Thanks to a bold draft-day trade orchestrated by general manager Andrew Berry, the Browns traded down from the No. 2 overall pick to No. 5, still managing to land Graham while collecting additional picks from the Jacksonville Jaguars. That move is already being hailed as a potential masterstroke.
Graham, a dominant force on the defensive line for the Wolverines, was widely projected as a top-five selection. His combination of strength, mobility, and relentless motor made him a standout among defensive prospects in this year’s class. The Browns’ acquisition of Graham not only bolsters their defensive front but also signals their commitment to building a deep and disruptive unit in the trenches.
What’s drawing even more buzz is the historic NFL comparison Graham has received. Former Browns running back and current analyst Leroy Hoard didn’t hold back his enthusiasm for the rookie, likening Graham to future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt.
“What a beast, right?
He kind of gives me a feel of J.J. Watt,” Hoard said during a segment on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show. “It’s the only guy that I can think of that size, that mobility, to be able to make plays like that. That’s the last guy I can think of that looked that way. So I was excited.”That’s high praise for the 6-foot-3, 318-pound Graham, but it’s not unwarranted. At Michigan, he developed a reputation for consistently collapsing pockets and blowing up running plays before they could develop. His high football IQ and natural instincts for reading offensive schemes make him a rare find at the defensive tackle position.
General manager Andrew Berry echoed the excitement, noting Graham’s ideal fit in the Browns’ defensive system.
“He is a DNA match for our defense — a disruptive interior penetrator,” Berry said. “We thought he was one of the more dominant trench prospects in this year’s class.”
Despite the fanfare, Graham may not start in Week 1. The Browns made key additions in the offseason, including signing veteran Maliek Collins, and Mike Hall is returning from a knee injury. However, Graham is expected to be part of the defensive line rotation early in the season.
Berry emphasized the team’s vision for a deep and relentless defensive front.
“We want our defensive line to go six or eight deep,” he said. “And Mason will absolutely be part of that group.”
With comparisons to J.J. Watt and the confidence of his GM behind him, Mason Graham has all the tools — and now the opportunity — to become a dominant force in Cleveland for years to come.
