Saints Host Top Defensive Prospect For A Visit

The New Orleans Saints could add a top defensive talent with their ninth overall pick.

The Saints hosted Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham for a visit on Friday, per NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill. 

 

Graham, 6-foot-3 and 296 pounds, totaled 9 career sacks and 18 tackles for loss through his three-year career. During his time at Michigan, Graham has accumulated a variety of awards, earning unanimous All-American in 2024, First-Team All-Big Ten in 2023 and 2024, Freshman All-American in 2022, and was a finalist for the Bednarik award in 2024.

Graham is projected to be the first defensive tackle taken and second defensive lineman off the board after Penn State's Abdul Carter. While Graham's numbers don't stick out, NFL scouts are betting on the All-American's size and athleticism. 

The former Wolverine's defensive tackle wins in the trenches with his elite quick first step and his high motor. While his short 32" arms are a big disadvantage, Graham outworks his opponent to win his rep.

With New Orleans holding the ninth overall pick, they may be out of range for the former All-American. Graham is likely to go in the top 10, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets being his most mocked destinations.

The Saints could look to pair Graham with standout defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. With a switch to a 3-4 defense, New Orleans could move Bresee to the outside and put Graham on the inside.

Graham would plug in perfectly for the Saints and could be a long-time starter in the NFL. While the board will have to fall right for Graham to land in New Orleans, the team is doing their due diligence on the highly rated defensive tackle and hosted him on a visit Friday.