There was a time when Mason Graham looked like an absolute lock to hear his name called within the first five picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Michigan Wolverines’ wrecking ball was supposed to be that game-changing interior rusher—a rare breed of defensive tackle who could disrupt the pocket with the same ferocity as an elite edge rusher. On film, it all made sense. His relentless motor, violent hands, and ability to win with quickness made him the prototype for today’s three-tech. Teams desperate for an interior force, like the Jacksonville Jaguars, seemed like the perfect fit, and barring something unforeseen, Graham’s stock was set to hold firm at the top of the draft. But if the Combine proved anything, it’s that nothing in the pre-draft process is guaranteed.

Mason Graham arrived in Indianapolis with all the hype in the world, but by the time he left, doubts had started to creep in. The 6-foot-3 lineman weighed in at just 296 pounds, nearly 15 pounds lighter than his listed weight at Michigan, and his arm length—a crucial measurement for defensive linemen—came in at a concerning 32 inches. Rather than showcasing his athleticism, Graham opted to only participate in the bench press, knocking out 22 reps of 225 pounds, but leaving scouts wanting more. The decision raised eyebrows.

Was it a strategic move to save himself for Michigan’s pro day, or was he wary of stacking up against some of the elite physical specimens in this class? Either way, it left the door open for doubt, and the floodgates soon followed. Bleacher Report’s John Frascella didn’t mince words when breaking down Graham’s Combine performance, listing four brutal reasons why his stock is trending “downward.”

“14 pounds less than he was initially listed,” Frascella pointed out, before adding that Graham’s reluctance to test in key drills could signal a lack of confidence. “Opted to only do bench press at The Combine, showed fear of the other prospects,” he said.

But perhaps the most damning of all was the question of how much of Graham’s dominance was a product of playing alongside Michigan’s Kenneth Grant. “Played upfront with Kenneth Grant, who is a very strong player—was KG plugging some of Graham’s holes in his game?” It was the kind of critique that makes front offices pause. If Graham doesn’t have elite measurables and was benefiting from a stacked Michigan front, how high should a team really be willing to take him? The 4th killer was, “Graham simply doesn’t WOW in size, speed or athleticism, doesn’t pop.”

And yet, for all the noise, there’s still plenty to love about Graham’s game. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein handed him a 6.49 prospect grade, projecting him as a future NFL starter within two years. The tape tells a story of a lineman who wins with technique and motor, even if he lacks overwhelming size. Mason Graham is relentless from edge to edge, using accurate hands and a slippery upper body to knife through the interior. His ability to cause havoc on twists and stunts is a major plus, and he’s got an outstanding short-area burst that lets him close on quarterbacks in a hurry. But the concerns are real.

His short arms mean he’ll have to work twice as hard to disengage from blockers, and his bull rush isn’t exactly going to collapse the pocket against NFL guards. Against double teams, he struggles to anchor deep, raising questions about whether he can consistently hold up against the power game. With Michigan’s pro day on the horizon, Graham will have one final chance to answer his critics.

If he can put together a strong showing—demonstrating the explosiveness and agility that didn’t make it to Indy—he could steady his stock and remind teams why he was once seen as a top-five talent.

Mason Graham’s Draft Stock Takes a Hit—But Is It Justified?”

If Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter go off the board at No. 1 and No. 2, things could get interesting fast. In his latest mock draft, NFL.com’s Zierlein followed that exact scenario, but here’s where things got a little surprising—Mason Graham, once projected as a top-five lock, didn’t hear his name until pick No. 11, where the San Francisco 49ers snagged him. The reason? An underwhelming showing in Indianapolis.

Zierlein broke it down: “Graham doesn’t offer the eye-popping traits that some prospects possess, but he’s very safe and fits what the 49ers are looking for.” Translation? He may not have the freakish athleticism of some other defensive linemen, but he’s a high-floor guy who checks all the boxes for a team like San Francisco.

But let’s be real—did Graham’s 32-inch arms seriously cost him six spots? That’s the million-dollar question, especially when Shedeur Sanders was still on the board. Even if Graham slides a bit, Zierlein isn’t writing him off. In fact, he sees Christian Wilkins-level potential in the right system, which could make Las Vegas a dream landing spot.

Graham might not be the flashiest name in the draft, but he still has the Wolverine Pro Day.