The order for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is almost set. The only two spots left, Nos. 31 and 32 will be decided in Super Bowl 59 when the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles face each other. The Jacksonville Jaguars, for their part, clinched the fifth overall selection, and they've been linked to several prospects throughout the process. However, one is quickly becoming the favorite.
Bucky Brooks of NFL Media released his latest NFL mock draft and has Jacksonville taking defensive tackle Mason Graham, noting that the Michigan standout and sophomore Maason Smith would give the Jags a disruptive tandem in the interior trenches.
"Pairing Graham with 2024 second-rounder Maason Smith would give the Jaguars an intriguing interior tandem with disruptive potential."
In Brook's mock, two quarterbacks go in the top 4 while the pass rusher Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter land with the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots, respectively.
Team | Pick |
|---|---|
Titans | Shedeur Sanders, Colorado |
Browns | Abdul Carter, Penn State |
Giants | Cam Ward, Miami |
Patriots | Travis Hunter, Colorado |
Jaguars | Mason Graham, Michigan |
But wait, Brooks isn't the only analyst who thinks Graham will fall to the Jaguars. Colleague Daniel Jeremiah also has Jacksonville picking the Michigan product at No. 5, pointing out that he's as sure as a prospect can be.
"Graham is one of the cleaner evaluations in the draft. He provides unbelievable quickness, balance and instincts. "
When the Jags were trending toward earning the No. 1 pick, they were routinely linked to Travis Hunter. The two-way star could play either receiver or cornerback. Coincidentally, both are needs for Jacksonville, so it wouldn't matter which position he chose. He would've been a fit in Jacksonville.
That said, the Jags' chances of landing Hunter have decreased since they ended up with the No. 5. Given that Sanders and Ward are the only quarterbacks worthy of a first-round selection, they'll likely go in the top 4. Other prospects who have been routinely mocked with the first five picks are Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Why Mason Graham would make sense for the Jaguars?
The Jaguars drafted defensive tackles Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson last year. The former got off to a slow start to 2024 but progressively got better while the latter showed aptitude against the run. Both could continue to make strides next season. Add the fact that veteran Arik Armstead is tentatively lining up inside after mostly playing on the edge, and Jacksonville is set in the interior trenches.
Having said that, it wouldn't hurt to keep adding reinforcements to the interior defensive line, especially if Mason Graham is available at No. 5. On the other hand, the Jaguars have more pressing needs than defensive tackle. They may want to go with Tetairoa McMillan or Will Johnson if they're still on board. After all, they could use a No. 2 receiver or a starting cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell.
Moreover, this is going to be a deep class at defensive tackle. The Jaguars could easily land a talented prospect with starting potential in the second or even third round. Then again, Graham could become a realistic target if Jacksonville addresses the wide receiver position or the cornerback unit in free agency.
Now, it's worth noting that the Jaguars moved on from general manager Trent Baalke, and it's hard to tell what kind of approach his successor will employ in the offseason.
This is to say that there's a realistic chance Mason Graham will fall to Jacksonville at No. 5, and it wouldn't be a bad thing.
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