Can Mason Graham deliver the breakout season the Cleveland Browns are counting on in his second NFL season?
With the Cleveland Browns trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, there is a huge opportunity for the former Michigan star to fill some of the void left by the All-Pro defensive lineman.Â
While the Browns did receive third-year defensive star Jared Verse in the deal, there is an expectation that Graham, selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is ready to step into a bigger role along the Browns’ defensive line.Â
If he succeeds, the Garrett trade may benefit a Cleveland team focused on building a young core. While no one can replicate Garrett's impact, the pairing of Verse on the edge and Graham’s versatility could create a new threat from the Browns’ front seven.
Why Mason Graham is poised for a Year 2 leap
Along with Verse, the Browns have other defensive ends who can help fill the void from a pass rushing perspective. Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire will be looked at to make more of an impact. Along with those two veteran defenders, defensive tackle Maliek Collins is making his way back from a late-season quad injury and once healthy, can create pressure up the middle.Â
So, all the pressure is not on Graham, but if he makes a Year 2 leap, his high motor and versatility along the defensive line could emerge as the Browns' biggest X-factor according to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi.
In outlining the biggest questions facing the Browns prior to training camp, Oyefusi pinpointed Graham as a player who could help change the defensive DNA of the Browns' front seven without Garrett in the mix.
He writes:
“Maybe the biggest X factor in replacing Garrett's production could be a Year 2 leap from defensive tackle Mason Graham. As a rookie, he showed his chops as a pass rusher, ranking 20th in pass rush win rate as a defensive tackle (8.3%). Graham registered only a half-sack, in part because Garrett got to quarterbacks so quickly. Graham's impact, though, was felt, and the next step for him will be turning his pressures into game-changing plays.
Can Mason Graham anchor the Browns' next defensive core?
With training camp now underway, Graham will be a player under the spotlight due to how high he was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and the energy he brings as an impact player along the defensive line. He showcased that high motor and intensity during his final season at Michigan and showed glimpses of his relentlessness along the line during his rookie season in the NFL.
Now, with Garrett gone, there is even more emphasis on Graham to make opposing offenses uncomfortable, especially in the trenches where he can be a tone setter and a player who can get after the quarterback no matter where he is lined up. Combine that with the defensive promise of Verse and second-year linebacker Carson Schwesinger and the Browns just may have the young defensive core to watch in the NFL.
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