The secondary has been a weakness for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season, and that's right. They've struggled to stop opponents from gaining yards in chunks. That said, they've also had a hard time creating pressure inside and must bolster the interior defensive line next year if they want to fix that. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports might just have come up with the perfect solution.
Wilson did a 2025 NFL Mock draft and had Jacksonville taking Michigan standout Mason Graham at No. 4, pointing out that they would potentially get a playmaker of Christian Wilkins' caliber.
"My comp for Mason Graham over the summer was Christian Wilkins. My co-host on the "With the First Pick" podcast, Rick Spielman, took it a step further and said Quinnen Williams. Wherever you land, Graham is a special talent who headlines a deep defensive line class."
For context, Wilkins was a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2019 draft. Although he needed a bit of time to hit his stride, the former Clemson Tiger developed into one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league. After a breakout season in 2023, he signed a massive contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wilkins got off to a strong start to his stint with the Silver and Black but had his season cut short by injury. But as impressive as he's been Quinnen Williams has been even better, having become a mainstay of the New York Jets defense. On top of that, he's earned a pair of Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro designation. Like his Raiders counterpart, he was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
All things considered, there may not be a higher compliment for a defensive tackle to be compared to either Williams or Wilkins and whichever team that drafts Graham will be fortunate if he can play at the level. He certainly has the tools to pull it off.
Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report scouting department points out that Graham must work on his hand usage and build a repertoire of pass-rush moves. However, he thinks that strength and versatility to make an impact at the NFL level. And like Wilson, Holder has a first-round grade on him and compares him to Wilkins.
"Mason Graham has the potential to be one of the best defensive tackle prospects to come out of college in the last few years. His lack of elite size and length will keep him from being in the same category as Jalen Carter, but the Michigan product's combination of strength and athleticism gives him a high ceiling as a pro."
Why Mason Graham would make sense for the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars were trending toward clinching the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by virtue of having the worst record in the league. However, they're now on pace to hold the No. 4 selection after the win over the Tennessee Titans and a loss to the New York Jets.
Their position could still change, depending on whether they lose to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16. Regardless of the pick the Jags ultimately get, they must consider going after Mason Graham. Granted, Travis Hunter would fill a massive hole at either wide receiver or cornerback if he were still available when Jacksonville is on the clock.
The same is true for cornerback Will Johnson and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Either one would address a need. That said, the Jaguars could also dip their toes in free agency to bolster either position. On the other hand, the defensive tackle market won't be nearly as enticing, so the team's brass may turn to the draft to bolster the defensive trenches.
Sure, Jacksonville drafted Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson this year, but that shouldn't deter them from going after Graham in 2025. If anything, the defensive line could go from good to great with the Michigan standout in the fold.