Mason Graham 2025 NFL Draft: Michigan DT Scouting Report
Coming out of Michigan, we have an explosive defensive tackle, Mason Graham. In a talented 2025 NFL Draft class, he is one of the more versatile prospects who can play several positions, including OG. Today, we’ll be breaking down his NFL outlook in this scouting report. We will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Mason Graham 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Mason Graham, a standout defensive tackle from Michigan, has quickly emerged as one of the most disruptive interior linemen in college football. Impressively, he brings a rare combination of explosiveness, strength, and refined technique. Additionally, he consistently makes an impact against both the run and pass game.
Graham’s ability to control blocks, shed linemen, and generate pressure from multiple alignments makes him a valuable asset for any defensive front. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of his strengths, areas to improve, and overall projection as a future NFL prospect.
HT: 6034
WT: 296
HAND: 918
ARM: 3200
40: 4.97
Strengths
- Explosive First Step: Graham’s get-off is exceptional for an interior lineman. He consistently fires off the snap with a burst that stresses guards and centers, often penetrating gaps before blockers can fully engage.
- Leverage and Hand Technique: His wrestling background shines through in his ability to play low and use violent, precise hand strikes to disengage from blocks. He employs a mix of swipes, rips, and push-pull moves with a veteran’s savvy.
- Run Defense Dominance: Graham is a brick wall against the run, anchoring with a stout lower body and natural leverage. He routinely eats double teams, maintaining gap integrity while still shedding to pursue ball carriers.
- Versatility: Comfortable aligning anywhere from 1-technique to 5-technique, Graham’s agility and strength allow him to thrive in both one-gap and two-gap schemes. Michigan’s staff moved him across the front, showcasing his adaptability.
- Motor and Instincts: Relentless in pursuit, Graham plays through the whistle with a high football IQ. He diagnoses plays quickly, reacting to misdirection and adjusting to stunts with fluidity.
Areas for Improvement
- Length Limitations: At 32-inch arms (measured at the Combine), Graham lacks the elite reach of some top-tier defensive tackles. Longer offensive linemen can occasionally neutralize him if they land first contact.
- Pass Rush Refinement: While disruptive as a pass rusher (34 pressures in 2024 per PFF), Graham relies heavily on his bull rush and initial quickness. Developing a broader arsenal of counters (e.g., a consistent spin or club move) could elevate his ceiling.
- Finishing Consistency: Graham generates frequent backfield disruption but doesn’t always wrap up, leaving some tackles on the field. Improving his finishing rate will be key against NFL-caliber athletes.
- Conditioning Concerns: At times, Graham’s pad level rises late in games, suggesting a need for enhanced stamina to maintain his dominance over four quarters in the pros.
Conclusion
Graham is a rare blend of power, quickness, and football IQ, making him one of the premier defensive prospects in the 2025 class. While not flawless, his translatable skills and proven production against top competition signal a player ready to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
Graham profiles as a Day 1 starter with the versatility to anchor a 4-3 defense as a 3-technique or slide into a 3-4 scheme as a defensive end. Teams like the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, or Washington Commanders—needing a disruptive interior presence—could target him in the top 10. His floor is a reliable, high-motor starter; with pass-rush polish, his ceiling is an All-Pro caliber lineman.
Graham’s game evokes shades of Christian Wilkins (Las Vegas Raiders), blending stout run defense with interior pass rush upside. While not as long or fluid as peak Aaron Donald, Graham’s leverage-based dominance and wrestling-honed technique suggest a similar ability to dictate trench battles.
Round Grade: Early to Mid 1st Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sk | PD | FR |
| 2022* | Michigan | 14 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 2.5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023* | Michigan | 13 | 23 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024* | Michigan | 12 | 23 | 22 | 7 | 3.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 39 | 60 | 48 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
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