2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mason Graham

Prospect Summary:

One of the harder commodities to find for NFL teams is interior pass rushers and well-balanced defensive tackles that are solid against the run while being capable of contributing to the pass rush. It is nearly mission impossible to find interior pass rushers like Aaron Donald, Warren Sapp, or John Randle, so NFL teams are just hoping to find good run-defending tackles that can help the edge rushers by getting a push into the pocket to prevent quarterbacks from stepping up. Having a tackle that can contribute 5-8 sacks is very valuable, and Mason Graham is that type of prospect for the next level. Hence, he should have plenty of teams hoping to land him next April.

As a pass rusher, Graham is very capable of getting penetration, and he is dangerous to collapse the pocket. Graham is very strong with heavy hands to rock back guards. He can bullrush his way down the pocket or toss blockers to the side to get free. Graham shows more developed moves than typical interior rusher prospects as he will use a club move and a swim move to go along with his bull rush. When Graham gets free, he has a serious burst to close. Graham will fire to the quarterback to get pressure and disrupt the timing of plays. As a pro, Graham may not become a prolific sack producer like Donald, Sapp, or Randle, but Graham could be a good contributor who is comparable to pros like Justin Simmons or Grady Jarrett.

In the ground game, Graham is tough as nails. He plays with outstanding leverage and strength. Graham is nearly impossible to move backward and is very reliable in standing up his blocker to hold his gap at the point of attack. Graham not only holds his ground, but he is capable of shedding the block and pursuing outside of his gap to get in on tackles. Graham will be an asset to his NFL team in terms of run defense.

As a draft analyst, I don’t typically say that a player is a plug-and-play starter for the next level because even super-talented phenoms have much to learn for the pro game. And it is even more special to me to say it about a player in the preseason, but I think Graham is ready to start right now at the NFL level. His well-rounded play and physical talent look pro-ready. I think he will quickly earn a starting spot as a pro and go on to have a very good professional career.