The Cleveland Browns have finally made a first-round selection again after having to give their last three to the Houston Texans as a part of the Deshaun Watson trade.
Cleveland was originally set to pick at No. 2 but shipped that pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a slew of picks. The Browns passed up the chance to get Travis Hunter by moving the pick.
Cleveland Browns select Michigan DT Mason Graham with the No. 5 overall pick
Cleveland chooses to beef up their defensive line by selecting Graham out of Michigan. Graham gives the Browns another starter along their defensive line.
The career of Mason Graham will always be compared to how Travis Hunter’s career turns out with Jacksonville
Cleveland had the chance to take Hunter and passed on him, just like they once had a chance to take Julio Jones and did the same thing. Phil Taylor didn’t amount anywhere close to what Jones did in his career and Cleveland fans never forgot that. Once the Browns traded the pick, their fans filled their mentions on social media and it was mostly negative.
Graham has the ability to end up a very good player in the NFL and with the Browns. He is a help to Garrett and the defense as a whole, but he isn’t a blue-chip talent like Hunter. The Browns at the very least need Graham to become a Pro Bowl-level player. No matter what, Graham has extra pressure on him now.
Michigan DT Mason Graham's scouting report
Age: 21 (09/02/2003)
A to Z Sports expected draft positioning: No. 4
“Mason Graham has one of the highest floors in this class. Sure, a lot of people point to his fellow Michigan Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson and question what his ceiling is. However, the truth is that if the Jaguars could redo their pick, they would take Hutchinson in a heartbeat over Travon Walker. And that's the kind of game that GMs and coaching staffs will be playing with Graham. You might overthink his frame and arm length, but you turn on the tape and see a player who can wreck games. A player who can penetrate through the heart of the offense and force you to change your entire game plan in an effort to stop him. That's why Mason Graham has been noted as a top-five to 10 player in this class since the season ended. He will be a game changer from day one, and could be a perennial Pro Bowl player.” — Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports
Projection: Pro Bowl potential
Going away
The Browns added the No. 2 defensive lineman in the entire draft and improved their defense in the process. However, the Browns passed on the chance to take Hunter and that means something.
