Mason Graham heads to enemy territory in Ohio, taken by surprising AFC North team

The first Michigan Wolverine is officially off the board!

The Cleveland Browns, after trading down from the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars, have selected defensive tackle Mason Graham out of Ann Arbor. Graham was projected to be taken with the fifth overall pick in many mock drafts, just by the Jaguars, not the Browns.

Now, instead of heading to the South, Graham will cross into enemy territory to the state of Ohio, a state Graham is very familiar with. Graham will partner with prolific pass rusher Myles Garrett in Cleveland on the defensive line.

Mason Graham should feel right at home winning games in the state of Ohio

Graham knows how to win football games in Ohio, he has done it his entire career, never losing to bitter rival Ohio State. The fact that the Browns were willing to lose historic player Travis Hunter and take Graham speaks volumes to what they think of the young pass rusher's ability.

The Wolverine's pass rusher will most likely see his first start in the first game of the season for the Browns. The Browns have been known for having a prolific defense, especially a shutdown defensive line. The duo of Garrett and Graham is one that AFC North teams will come to fear.

Graham may not have had the big sack total some pass rushers in college football had, but his disruptiveness on the defensive line is what allowed others to game the big play. Graham draws a lot of attention from the offensive line, opening up lanes for his fellow defensive linemen. Graham has a great ability to get away from blocks and put pressure on the quarterback and even throw his hand into passing lanes.

The Browns wanted a solid defensive player and got exactly that in Graham. Congratulations to the young defensive lineman!