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  • February 18, 2025
What Michigan’s DT can do for the NFL

What Michigan’s DT can do for the NFL

Have allowed the most points per game and second most yards per game entering week 14the Carolina Panthers are in line for some tough work on defense this offseason.

Their shortcomings can be attributed to a number of factors, including the lack of pass rush, the lack of sufficient talent in the defensive trench and the lack of their best playerPro Bowl lineman Derrick Brown. So as they certainly look to fill those gaps this spring, the Panthers could have a pretty special prospect in their sights: University of Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham.

Graham is undoubtedly one of the best players in college football and played a key role in the Wolverines’ national championship run last season. And he’s about to add to that trophy case — one that already includes a second-team All-American selection, two first-team All-Big Ten nods and the 2024 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP award.

While the Panthers remain within striking distance of the dominant standout in the current draft order, let’s take a look at what Graham could bring to Carolina. . .

Strengths

Raham, 6 feet tall and 318 pounds, is built like a barn with a thick lower half and a sturdy upper half frame. What’s impressive about this is that a man his size offers incredible athleticism, flexibility and short-range speed that will stress opponents out.

Graham is a player whose engine is red hot. This has allowed him to play in the backfield with sheer effort and hustle.

His explosiveness and initial jaunt will put pressure on the guards and force them to overstep or lean into their blocks at times. Graham takes advantage of this by using powerful hands to shock linemen and compromise their anchor.

When he can keep his pads low, Graham will play with excellent leverage – and it allows him to place his hands in the opposing chest plates and work from blocks. Its sturdy anchor and wide base allow it to be a force on the run and maintain the integrity of the gaps.

He is certainly an assertive defensive tackle who will rarely be pressured, as his performance against Ohio State at the end of the regular season showed.

While he still has room to grow as a pass rusher, Graham offers the versatility in alignments, change of direction and hip flexibility to turn around the arc and attack the quarterback. He offers a number of quick moves, such as an arm-over and a hand-draw, that allow him to get past blockers quickly.

His explosiveness allows him to form half-man relationships and set up blockers to attack their internal influence.

Weaknesses

As talented as Graham is, he is still an evolving and developing player. He sometimes plays too high with his pads and compromises his ability to anchor and create a wide, solid base at the point of attack.

He also doesn’t have the greatest reach and limited tackle radius. And while that isn’t a significant detriment to his game, it is something to keep an eye on as he continues his professional career.

While Graham has been able to win with effort, his ability to finish as a pass rusher is a work in progress. He’s more of a burster: a speedy defender who can occasionally run out of power.

He also needs to add more to his pass-rush arsenal. But the way he is winning now already offers him a high ceiling at this stage.

The verdict

During the pre-draft process, questions will arise about Graham’s positional value and whether he is worth a top-five or top-10 draft selection. But like Quinnen Williams and Derrick Brown before him, Graham’s talent speaks for itself.

An NFL defense will improve almost immediately, especially against the run, because of its strength at the point of attack, its solid anchor, speed and integrity of the gaps. Again, when his brake pads are low, he is virtually unstoppable. That’s what’s missing from the Panthers’ defense this year.

Graham is a versatile interior lineman who projects as a dual-gap defender and an immediate impact starter with the upside of being an 8-on-10 pocket man.

If the front office were to draft Graham, he and Derrick Brown would make a pretty formidable duo in the middle of Carolina’s defense.

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