Mason Graham Might Be the Browns’ Best-Kept Secret - But Not for Long
There’s been no shortage of standout stories in Cleveland this season. Myles Garrett continues to terrorize quarterbacks like it’s his personal mission, and the Browns’ 2025 rookie class has quietly - and now loudly - become one of the most impactful in the league. But while names like Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr. have started to dominate headlines and fantasy football group chats, there’s another rookie who’s been doing the dirty work in the trenches - and doing it well.
That would be Mason Graham.
The former No. 5 overall pick isn’t lighting up the stat sheet just yet, but make no mistake: Graham has been a key cog in Cleveland’s defensive engine. And with veteran Maliek Collins now sidelined for the season with a quad injury, Graham’s moment could be arriving right on time.
The Under-the-Radar Force on the Browns’ D-Line
Let’s rewind a bit. When the Browns traded the No. 2 overall pick to Jacksonville in the 2025 NFL Draft, it raised some eyebrows.
But part of the justification for that move was the confidence they had in Graham - a player they believed could anchor their defensive front for years to come. So far, he’s done everything the coaching staff has asked, even if the splash plays haven’t come just yet.
Graham has started all 12 games this season. And while fellow rookie Carson Schwesinger has been racking up awards and national buzz, Graham has been grinding alongside veterans like Collins and Shelby Harris, holding down the interior and doing the kind of work that doesn’t always show up on highlight reels.
But don’t confuse quiet production with underperformance. Graham has been flashing more and more over the past month, and with Collins out, the Browns are ready to see what their first-rounder can do with a bigger spotlight.
Schwartz Sees It Coming
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz isn’t one to hand out praise lightly, but he made it clear this week that Graham’s arrow is pointing up - fast.
“I was very, very impressed by Mason in that game,” Schwartz said, referring to Cleveland’s win over San Francisco. “Played super, super hard.
Was all over the field. I think every week we’re seeing better from him… It’s only a matter of time before we start to see the level of play start equaling the production.”
That’s a telling comment from a coach who’s seen his fair share of elite defensive linemen. And while Graham hasn’t notched his first solo sack yet, he’s been a consistent disruptor.
Over the last four games, he’s registered 16 quarterback pressures and 13 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s not just noise - that’s impact.
More Than Just a Pass Rusher
What’s been especially impressive about Graham’s recent stretch is his versatility. In the 49ers game, he wasn’t just collapsing the pocket - he was making smart, instinctive plays in the run game and even in space.
He had three solo tackles that game, including two on Christian McCaffrey - no small feat - holding the All-Pro back to short gains. But perhaps his most eye-opening play came when he sniffed out a bubble screen to Ricky Pearsall and blew it up near the line of scrimmage. That’s the kind of football IQ that turns a solid rookie into a foundational piece.
And here’s a stat that might surprise you: Graham now leads all Browns pass rushers not named Myles Garrett in total pressures this season, with 29. For a guy who hasn’t gotten home for a sack yet, that’s a strong indicator of just how often he’s affecting plays.
The Stage Is Set for a Breakout
All signs point to Week 14 as a potential turning point for Graham. With Collins out, the Browns will lean heavily on a rotation that includes Graham, Shelby Harris, Sam Kamara, and Mike Hall Jr.
The matchup? A road game in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans - and rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who’s been sacked a league-high 48 times this season.
If you’re looking for a breakout opportunity, this might be it.
The Browns’ defense has built its identity on relentless pressure and physicality, and Graham fits that mold to a tee. He’s been on the verge of turning pressures into sacks, and now with more snaps and a favorable matchup, the production might finally catch up to the performance.
So while the spotlight has been on Shedeur Sanders’ poise, Schwesinger’s sideline-to-sideline range, and Judkins’ burst out of the backfield, don’t sleep on Mason Graham. He’s been laying the groundwork all season - and he might just be ready to steal the show.