Mason Graham’s ‘cartoon’ look belies immense expertise
INDIANAPOLIS — Mason Graham doesn’t look the half.
Graham is anticipated to be the primary defensive sort out taken within the NFL draft.
He’s projected to be a top-10 choose.
However he doesn’t reduce the imposing determine you’d count on from a defensive lineman listed at 6-foot-3 and 320 kilos.
NFL Community draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah noticed this for himself when he attended the Wolverines recreation in opposition to Oregon final fall.
“A bunch of personnel guys and GMs down on the sector. We’re strolling down there, and I see Mason Graham stroll by,” Jeremiah mentioned. “In fact, he’s subsequent to Kenneth Grant, his teammate, who it seems like he’s a cartoon character. He’s an Adonis how huge he’s. I’m taking a look at Mason Graham and physique sort, and I’m, like, gosh, possibly I would like to regulate my grade. Perhaps I’m simply too excessive on this man. Then I proceeded to look at the sport, and I used to be, like, nope, nope, he’s simply actually, actually good.”
Graham has an opportunity this week on the NFL Scouting Mix to impress upon groups that he ought to be a prime choose.
Graham makes numerous sense for the Jets at No. 7 … if he isn’t taken earlier.
He’s a chance at No. 4 to the Patriots, No. 5 to the Jaguars or No. 6 to the Raiders earlier than the Jets are on the clock.
However there isn’t any query the Jets may use a participant like Graham to pair up with Quinnen Williams in the course of the Jets protection.
The Jets let their line of defense slip final season and the protection suffered.
In case you are itemizing the Jets’ wants this offseason, defensive sort out is close to the highest of the listing.
Graham would toughen new coach Aaron Glenn’s program.
“I really feel like I have an effect on each snap run or cross,” Graham mentioned. “I really feel like I’m a dominant participant, one of the dominant gamers on this class.”
Graham gained a nationwide title with Michigan after the 2023 season, and was the Rose Bowl MVP of their playoff win over Alabama.
Final season, Graham was named first-team All-American.
Jeremiah mentioned groups mustn’t get distracted if Graham doesn’t take a look at effectively on the mix or his professional day. He mentioned Graham’s recreation tape speaks for itself.
“I hope individuals don’t overthink it with him as we get to the spring and form of the additional we get away from soccer, however he’s acquired loopy, elite leverage, stability, and instincts,” Jeremiah mentioned. “You’ll be able to see there’s a wrestling background there. He’s simply by no means on the bottom. He will get beneath guys. I simply wrote down after I was taking a look at my notes, I had ‘block destruction’ written down so many alternative occasions. He’s only a actual aggressive participant who has acquired instincts and may dominate the sport in opposition to the run, and I believe has extra to supply as a cross rusher.”
Graham doesn’t agree with the concept he gained’t take a look at effectively right here.
“I believe I’m fairly athletic,” Graham mentioned. “I don’t know the place that form of got here from. I really feel like I’m one of the athletic guys right here. I really feel like I form of proved that and you may see it on my tape.”
Final season, Graham’s finest recreation got here in opposition to Michigan’s archrival.
He had seven tackles within the Wolverines’ upset of Ohio State.
Graham pointed to that recreation when requested if there was a play or a recreation that sums him up.
“I really feel like simply roll that Ohio State movie,” he mentioned. “That’s all you must see, actually.”
Whoever drafts Graham, he desires them to know they’re getting a whole participant.
“I satisfaction myself in taking part in the run and the cross as a result of I really feel like that’s what a whole D-lineman does,” Graham mentioned. “So, clearly dashing the passer, I really feel like I’m actually good at. I can run by means of guys or I could be a finesse man on the identical time.”
