Let’s take a closer look at one of the prospects the Panthers could select in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Since it’s never too early to look forward to the NFL Draft, this weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2025 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. With the benching of Bryce Young just two weeks into the season in favor of 36-year-old Andy Dalton, quarterbacks are now on the board. This week our profile will focus on Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham.
When you first see a defensive tackle being one of the top prospects in a draft, one of the main questions fans have is why would a team invest so heavily in such a relatively unimportant position. After all, quarterbacks and receivers and even offensive tackles are more important than interior defensive lineman. When the defensive line prospect plays like Michigan’s 6’3”, 315 pound Mason Graham, that’s easy to answer. Graham has started off the season well in Ann Arbor, adding to his already impressive resume that includes a Second Team All-American, First Team All-Big 10, Rose Bowl Defensive MVP, and two-time high school wrestling heavyweight champion. While his 2023 stats don’t jump off the page when compared to this Draft’s edge prospects, keep in mind that Graham is an interior lineman often lined up as a 1-technique or 3-technique defensive tackle. He still managed to total 5.5 sacks over his two seasons with Michigan, and has already added another this season.
One of the things that puts Graham so high on many scouts’ rankings is his upside. While his pass rushing technique is fine, there is so much room for growth in that area. Ideally, he would line up as a 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 or a defensive end in a 3-4 like the Panthers currently run. With Derrick Brown coming off an injury, a little extra threat from the interior defensive line definitely wouldn’t hurt in 2025. He has upper tier body control and hand usage that let him be a dominant force against the run already. His biggest knocks athletically are his average length arms and tight ankles and hips. These “limitations” would be more of an issue for an edge defender, but Graham is able to overcome them due to his position inside.
If the Panthers do find themselves in position to take Graham in the 2025 Draft, would you want the team to take him? Sound off in the comments below!