This year’s draft class is absolutely stacked with defensive talent, and Mason Graham is one of the standout names. Analysts have been buzzing about him, with USA Today projecting him as the No. 5 overall pick, while others have him going around the top 10. Despite some recent chatter about a slight dip in his stock due to knee concerns, the Wolverines’ 6’4″, 296-pound defensive tackle is still considered a top-tier prospect.

He had a standout career at Michigan while constantly remaining the cornerstone of the Wolverines’ defense. Across his three seasons in Michigan, Graham had 108 career tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks in 27 starts. Besides, he also earned two Big Ten championships, All-American honors twice, a Rose Bowl MVP, and was a national champion. But the big question’s still looming over everyone’s heads: which team is going to draft him?

Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears could be one. The Bears are one of the few teams that are interested in using their first-round pick to draft Graham. The reason? Well, if history has taught us anything about the Bears, then they’ve a knack for dropping hints about their draft moves. Last year, the GM, Ryan Poles, was filmed, stating, “I love this kid.” It was believed that he was talking about Rome Odunze, whom he ended up drafting.

And now, Poles and the Bears’ DC, Dennis Allen, were caught having a conversation about a player they like. And yeah, many believe that they’re talking about Mason Graham. But the big question: does Graham want to play in Chicago? Well, ahead of the draft, he was asked about his interactions with the Bears. “Uh, you know, all good things. Just, you know, getting to know me—me getting to know them,” he said.

“Yeah, just meeting with everyone. Met with them a few times here, so I’m pretty familiar with them.” Things took a sudden turn when he was asked about how he feels to fit in Dennis Allen’s scheme; the guy straight-up declared that he can fit in any scheme. “Yeah, I feel like I can fit in any scheme,” Graham remarked. “You know, whatever technique—I feel like I can just go in and play anywhere, honestly.” Is he dodging his commitment to the Bears?

It kinda feels like he does, yeah. But let’s be real—this isn’t really up to Graham. He doesn’t get to pick where he goes. That’s the draft for you. He can drop hints all day, but when the clock’s ticking, it’s the teams that call the shots. But the interesting thing is that the folks out there projected him to be one of the first handful of defensive players off the board. Jaguars? Raiders? Or the Saints? It’s hard to pin down. But let’s see what the mock draft is predicting.

If not on Ben Johnson’s roster, where will Mason Graham land?

Let’s clarify one thing—by now, it’s pretty much certain that along with Mason Graham, Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Michigan’s Will Johnson, and Georgia’s Jalon Walker are going to be the top defensive draft picks. While Carter and Hunter are two of the top-tier draft prospects, it’s really hard to confirm where Mason Graham will land.

In the past few weeks, the Jaguars were one of the top contenders to draft Graham at No. 5. However, as per the Jaguars senior writer John Oehser, “After weeks with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham being a comparatively clear selection for the Jaguars at No. 5 overall, the consensus is far less clear.” See, Graham, the Jaguars have been projected to draft Graham. But for the time being, the analysts believe that Jacksonville is going to draft Ashton Jeanty instead.

Then there were the Raiders, who have shown a clear interest in the Wolverine’s DT. Why? Graham recently had a video call with the team that featured a surprise cameo from Maxx Crosby. To top that off, analyst Mike Moraitis pointed out why Graham would be a fit for the Raiders. “Graham posted pass-rush and run defense grades of 81.1 and 92.6, respectively, in 2024, showing he can make a huge impact in both areas,” he said. “If Graham becomes the player many think he can be, the Raiders would have a nightmare duo up the middle, and impressive depth with Butler rotating in.”

The Raiders have heavily invested in their D-line, considering they’ve already signed Christian Wilkins. Having Graham on the D-line would add depth alongside Crosby. There you go. It’s still tough to say which team will select him. Ben Johnson and Co. could draft him, no doubt. But they must buckle up to face the Jaguars and the Raiders on draft night.