Mason Graham — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Graham's quick feet, upper-body strength, versatility and consistent motor portend a successful NFL career. The Jaguars did not address their defensive line after trading Roy Robertson-Harris to Seattle last fall, so pairing Graham with 2024 second-round pick Maason Smith makes all kinds of sense.

The Panthers would have to be pleased to see Mason Graham slide this far down and into their laps. They could use an upgrade to the interior of their defensive line, and Graham is the most disruptive player at the position in this class.

The Jaguars could go in a variety of directions here, but end up with the explosive Graham. His arm length (32 inches at the combine) might scare off some teams, but new Jaguars general manager James Gladstone comes from the Rams, a place that has been more than fine with taking players who may lack ideal measurements or backgrounds but whose play does the talking. Graham in between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker would create a dangerous front, while also filling a hole, with an interesting mix of skills.

Trading for quarterback Geno Smith allowed the Raiders to adopt a strict best-player-available approach here, and they couldn't lose as they identified six Tier 1 studs. It came down to running back Ashton Jeanty or Graham, and the Raiders went with another disruptor up front, as they emulate the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning approach. Graham has a great first step, leverage, violence and a persistent motor and can also hold his own against the run. It will be like having two Christian Wilkins side by side and the Raiders can draft a starting RB in the second or third round. — Vic Tafur

The Panthers came up a little short in their pursuit of Milton Williams in free agency, but they get another chance to bolster the interior defensive line here. Graham would be a key addition for a defense that ranked last in yards and points allowed last season.

If the Jets are going to adopt the blue-collar mentality that new head coach Aaron Glenn played with and, more recently, helped instill in Detroit, lunch-pail-carrying tough guys like Graham would make an awful lot of sense.

The Saints bolster the interior of their defensive front with Graham, who can be a defensive foundation for years.

Vegas is interesting. The Raiders went out and got quarterback Geno Smith, which I think allows them to take the best player available here. They're in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, so you'd think that after watching what the Eagles did in Super Bowl LIX that the Raiders would want to replicate that in some way. Adding Graham would bolster an already strong defensive line, putting him with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. That might be the most disruptive defensive line in football with Graham, and you need that to beat Mahomes. I don't think there's been a defensive tackle prospect like him in quite a while, being great against the run and at disrupting blocks.

The Jaguars' top need hasn't changed through free agency. They have to add a pocket-pushing, havoc-wreaking defensive tackle in the middle of the line after Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton combined for two sacks there in 2024. Graham had only 3.5 sacks last season at Michigan, but he also tallied 26 pressures and 14 run stops. His technique is outstanding, and he has the power and leverage to pop back interior offensive linemen. Slotted between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, he could dominate.

After Jacksonville cut Evan Engram, I considered Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. It's not out of the question, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence would love having Warren in the pass game, which also just lost Christian Kirk.

The Jaguars have their edge position locked down, but their interior was a non-factor last season. Mason Graham changes that quickly with one of the more NFL-ready skill sets in the class.

Jacksonville's dramatic overhaul under James Gladstone has been aggressive and relentless thus far. One thing Gladstone had in Los Angeles? Potent and disruptive defensive fronts.

The Jaguars have some pieces in place but are missing a potential centerpiece inside — they get that with the addition of Graham at No. 5 overall.