Midseason Rookie Reviews: Mason Graham

Let's check in on the interior defensive lineman's performance at the midpoint.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 07: Mason Graham #94 of the Cleveland Browns runs on to the field before the NFL 2025 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

Today we kick off our rookie midseason reviews, and that means we start with the 5th overall selection, Mason Graham. While the Browns clearly loved Graham enough to feel comfortable moving back three slots in the draft to select him, the pressure is on the 5th overall pick to produce quickly. Proper perspective will tell you that defensive tackles rarely dominate early, as it’s one of the league’s toughest transition positions — but that doesn’t ease the pressure on Graham to show he can make an impact.

Personally, I want to see flashes. With the learning curve at the position being so steep, I understand the growing pains will happen. I’m instead looking for the pathway the player will take to become dominant at some point. Show me how you’ll win with consistency as you age — that’s the theory.

Graham is playing a high volume of reps for a young player, and with that comes plenty of inconsistency, but there are moments to feel good about as well. He’s going to be a fascinating player to study for years. The Browns like him, and it’s still easy to see why — even though I have some concerns about what his ultimate ceiling might be.

Let’s dig into the scouting profile.

---

Data: Graham has played a whopping 348 snaps overall (14th out 200 defensive NFL defensive tackles). 13 pressures (2nd in the class), 1 sack (t4th in the class), 12 tackles (t3rd in the class), 10 “stop” plays (t2nd in the class).

• 38th in the NFL in iDL pressures

• 33rd in the NFL in tackles

• 35th in the NFL in “stop” plays

• 59/62 qualifying DTs in the NFL in win% in True Pass Sets

• 42/62 in win% in all pass rush reps

• 47/75 in the NFL in run stop percentage

---

Strength Areas: For Graham, most of the positive comes in his ability to take on run blockers without being dominated. Now, that sounds like a back-handed compliment, but for an under-sized defensive tackle he holds his own against bigger guards and tackles whether against down-blocking or when traveling with a guard in a moving scheme. His long arm and processing have made strides early in his rookie year and he’s finding more ways to win against the run.