“It’s hard to pass on [Travis Hunter]” - NFL insider explains why Browns’ gamble on Mason Graham over flashier picks is 'crucial' move

The Cleveland Browns surprised the football world when they traded down from the No. 2 draft slot to the No. 5 position. Despite originally being projected to select Colorado Buffaloes Travis Hunter or Penn State Nittany Lions Abdul Carter, the Browns decided to select Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham.

While some have questioned why the Browns decided against selecting a potentially generational talent in Hunter or Carter, others have highlighted how the move for Graham is a good one and one that can set the team up for success in the future.

In a recent article published on Tuesday to ESPN by NFL analyst Jeremy Fowler, an unnamed AFC executive made clear their belief that Graham can make a positive impact on the Cleveland franchise moving forward. The article in full can be found using the following link.

"It's hard to pass on Travis [Hunter] or Abdul [Carter] at 2, but you get a good young defensive tackle [in Mason Graham]. ... That's a position that's really expensive now, so to get a rookie-scale player there is crucial... And this is really about 2026. Can they get their quarterback of the future there? They are going to find out." the AFC executive said.

Will Mason Graham feature in a prominent role for the Cleveland Browns in 2025?

According to ESPN, Graham is currently being listed as the No. 1 RDT on the Browns depth chart. Due to this, there is a strong chance that the former Michigan defensive star will feature in a prominent role for the Browns in 2025.

Although the team does not expect to be amongst the best in the league or even qualify for the postseason this year, the Browns will likely have a strong defense that features stars around the unit. Myles Garrett and Graham have the ability to form one of the best defensive line combos in the entire NFL and the secondary features star cornerback Denzel Ward as well.

Only time will tell whether Cleveland shows major improvement next year, however, it is evident that some top NFL personnel believe that trading down and selecting Graham was a good choice for the Browns moving forward.