Mason Graham Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

School: Michigan

Class: Junior

Position: IDL

HT: 6’3

WT: 315 lbs

Background: Mason Graham was a 4-star defensive lineman in the class of 2022. Graham comes from Mission Viejo, CA and attended Servite High School in Anaheim. Graham was a top 20 player in California and ranked as the 32nd DL in his class. At Servite, Graham competed as a wrestler along with playing football. He was able to help get his team to a CIF championship as a senior. Not only was he a star defensive lineman in high school, but he also started on the offensive line. Graham was named the league’s most valuable lineman as a senior. Graham chose to play at Michigan over schools like San Jose State, Boise State, and Wisconsin.

College: As a freshman at Michigan in 2022, Graham appeared in all 14 games, making two starts. He was named a Freshman All-American and shared Defensive Freshman of the Year honors after posting 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In his sophomore campaign, Graham made a name for himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the country. He started every game and racked up 3 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. He was a coaches’ selection for All-Big 10 First Team and was an All-American Second Team member. In his final year at Michigan, despite a down year from the team, he still produced. He set career highs in just about all statistical categories and catapulted himself to the top of draft boards.

Strengths: Mason Graham is a stout interior defensive lineman who can stuff the run but can also get after the quarterback. He is an efficient pass rusher who displays solid technique on the interior to collapse the pocket and get his hands on the quarterback. He is technically sound as a pass rusher, especially for an interior defender. He does not have any wasted movement, using his hands just as much as his legs to deconstruct blocks. He is one of the strongest players in the draft and that is shown in the run game. He is able to control gaps, holding his own at the point of attack to take away rushing lanes. Graham has an incredibly high motor - his legs never stop moving. He is quick, twitchy, and fast for the position, which can be too overwhelming for most interior linemen.

Weaknesses: Graham is not the most mobile or agile defender. Those limitations tend to show up in all phases of the game. He has no bend and has to run through blockers instead of being able to work around them. He is stiff in pass rush sets which allows offensive linemen to plant a clean anchor and get their hands into his chest.

Conclusion: Mason Graham is going to be a difference making presence on the interior of the defense that takes him. His skillset is easily translatable to the pros. Pass rushing prowess from the interior is rare in today’s NFL, so he will be quite the gem.

Scheme Fit: 4-man Front

Ideal Role: 3 tech

Best Team Fits: JAX, CAR, SF

Player Comparison: Daron Payne

Player Grade: Round 1 (93.9)