Browns Choose Mason Graham Fifth in NFL Draft

GREEN BAY, Wisc. (WXYZ) — The Cleveland Browns selected defensive tackle Mason Graham from Michigan with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24.

Graham, a standout player, played three seasons at the University of Michigan, appearing in 39 games. During his collegiate career, he recorded a total of 108 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.

The selection of Graham marks the highest a Michigan player has been drafted since Aidan Hutchinson was taken second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2022. Graham earned 2024 All-American honors after recording 45 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his final season.

In addition to having a solid collegiate track record, Graham was instrumental in Michigan’s 2023 team that won the National Championship. His performance has drawn attention from analysts, who ranked him among the best defensive tackles in college football.

Graham’s accolades include being a two-time All-American and a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He was also named the Defensive MVP of the 2023 Rose Bowl and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and Nagurski Trophy in 2024.

As Graham joins the Browns, he will bolster a defensive line that features the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and recent free agency signings, including Collins, Okwara, and Tryon-Shoyinka. The team is eagerly anticipating the return of fellow lineman Hall, who suffered a knee injury in the 2024 season.

Graham was the first defensive tackle to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his career-high in tackles occurred during a significant upset against Ohio State in 2024, where he recorded seven tackles.