“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 two-way star Travis Hunter or Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter, the Browns decided to go with 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.

ESPN's NFL analyst Jeremy Fowler quoted an unnamed AFC executive who believes Graham can make a positive impact on the Cleveland franchise moving forward.

"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?

Graham is 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 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 NFL, and the secondary features star cornerback Denzel Ward.

Only time will tell whether Cleveland shows major improvement; 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.