Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Size:
Height: 6034
Weight: 296
Arm: 32”
Hand: 9 ⅛”
Accomplishments:
Unanimous First Team All American (2024) • Second-Team All-American (2023) • First-Team All-Big Ten (2024, 2023) • Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP (2023) • Two-time Trinity League (HS wrestling) heavyweight champion
“Mason Graham is a high-skilled, three-down, disruptive defensive tackle prospect who will create consistent backfield penetration and pressure to wreck the opposing offense’s game plans.”
Strengths:
High-ceiling pass-rush upside
Ideal 3-technique
Strength and body control at point of attack vs. the run
Efficient hand fighter to deconstruct blocks
Concerns:
Ankle flexion
Adequate arm length
Rotational hip flexibility
Film Analysis:
Mason Graham has been making plays since enrolling at Michigan as a highly ranked recruit of California. Graham has been an impactful player for the Michigan defense and finished off his career as one of the best NFL draft prospects in the class. Graham capped off his career with his best year statistically with 45 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Graham's impact as a defensive tackle is in both the run game and a pass rusher. Graham's overall quickness, strength, and IQ as a player sets the foundation for him to be an impactful IDL in the NFL.
Graham has violent hands with the power to put OL on their heels quickly. He has “knock-back” power to knock his blocker off balance and walk them into the backfield. Graham is a disruptive defensive lineman who thrives on wreaking havoc on the offense’s blocking scheme. Against the run, Graham holds up well at the point of attack with great body control. He pinballs off contact without losing ground or balance. He can contort his body and corkscrew versus double-team blocks, detaching his upper body from his lower to defeat those blocks. Graham is rarely moved off the ball with vertical displacement because of his lower body strength to anchor and clog running lanes. Graham stacks, peeks, and sheds blocks with great effectiveness. He is skilled at demanding double teams and occupying two linemen, keeping his linebackers clean and free to flow to the football.
Rushing the passer is a strength. He has a quick first step to swarm OL with sudden punches, clearing his way to the QB. Graham has multiple pass-rush maneuvers to quickly displace OL—double-hand swipes, quick rip, push/pull, and the long-arm over. He is effective on tackle-to-tackle twists/stunts with lateral agility and movement skills. Graham is alignment-flexible with value in multiple defensive fronts. He is a multifaceted pass rusher who can win with power or quickness. Graham offers a skill set that will live in the backfield and consistently pressure opposing QBs.
Graham is great holding up against vertical duo blocks. He gives up more ground when duo blocks attack laterally. In the zone game, his momentum can be used against him to open a crease for the ball-carrier. His arm length is functional but lessens his room for error. Graham will get stuck on blocks if his punches do not land. Longer-armed OL can delay his push-upfield and success getting into the backfield. Graham lacks the ankle flexion and rotational hip flexibility to bend around the edges and change directions. Those wider twist/stunt paths are difficult due to these limitations causing him to stutter step as he tries to corner and flatten to the QB.
Overall, Graham projects best as a starting even front 3-technique defensive tackle. He can wreck offensive game plans due to his prowess versus the run and pass. Graham has the skill set and physical ability to become one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Exposures: Texas (2024), USC (2024), Oregon (2024), Ohio State (2024), Washington (2023), Alabama (2023), Ohio State (2023), Minnesota (2023), Iowa (2023)
