The New Orleans Saints are moving to a new defensive system under Brandon Staley and need to address their defensive line and edge rushers. For many, edge rusher is the position they'd prefer the Saints to address in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine believes the Saints' dream scenario in the first round is to land Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. It wasn't about valuing defensive tackle over an edge rusher for Ballentine. It was this specific defensive tackle and Graham's fit in Brandon Staley's defense. James Pearce Jr., Mike Green, Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams are options that make sense and could be available when the Saints are on the clock, but Ballentine prefers Graham as a talent.
Ballentine wrote that Graham "is the kind of interior defender who could make a bigger impact than the edge defenders who will be available when New Orleans gets on the clock at No. 9." While this is still a dream scenario, there must be some level of realism involved. You simply don’t have a chance at every prospect.
Graham is far from a consolation prize. The defensive tackle is still viewed as a high-ceiling player and the best at his position by many analysts. Bleacher Report scout Matt Holder added, "Mason Graham has the potential to be one of the best defensive tackle prospects to come out of college in the last few years” due to his blend of size and athleticism.
Going with a defensive tackle hits a major need with a highly regarded player. It doesn’t take away the Saints ability to address edge defender. The comfort of knowing you can get a talented player at the position as the draft continues allows you to take Graham at 9.
