The NFL Draft is always a tough beast to have a pulse on. For the New Orleans Saints, they hold the ninth overall pick and four picks in the first two days as we sit here today. That's notable capital.
With that capital and potential value in the cards, the pressure is on for new head coach Kellen Moore and the Saints' front office. Depending on how the first portion of the top eight picks fall, New Orleans could land a player that many fold around the industry did not think would make it to them a month ago.
Saints will meet with Mason Graham
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the projected top ten pick will meet with the New England Patriots and Saints over the next few days.
Graham is often the first interior defensive lineman off the board in mock drafts. You'll see some mocks that have him go as early as the fourth overall pick, which belongs to those Patriots, or drop down the board to the 11-15 range.
The former Wolverine stud finished his career at Michigan by being named an All-American for the 2024 season. Graham was one of the top defensive lineman in all of college football. A true game wrecker on multiple occasions.
From a defensive perspective, there is no system that Graham can’t thrive in. While not the longest player of all time, his foot quickness and closing speed allows him to play from wider alignments at times. His raw power always him to also play more condensed, and work consistently at the point of attack.
Graham would be best served as a versatile three technique in a four-man front, utilizing his penetration upside. There aren’t many easier evaluations in the 2025 NFL Draft class than Graham. He has a future Pro Bowler written all over him. -- Ryan Roberts
Love this evaluation from Roberts and agree with a lot of it.
In a defense like Brandon Staley's, Graham would provide a ton of upside on the interior. Bryan Bresee has impressed as a pass rusher, but Graham's balanced game between the run and pass could really help Bresee continue to develop alongside the rookie.
Graham may not get to the ninth overall pick, but if he does, New Orleans needs to give it a legitimate thought to selecting him in round one.
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