The Jacksonville Jaguars will hold the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They would surely like to move down a few spots and acquire extra selections. However, trading back could be a challenge this year. The silver lining is that the Jags will have a wide array of intriguing options if they spot, and a team broadcaster laid out what could turn out to be the safest one.
Jaguars announcer Frank Frangie made an appearance on 1010 XL and said that taking Mason Graham at No. 5 is the best course of action.
"As far as trading back, my opinion, I think it's going to be very hard to trade back out of five, because there's not enough people to go get," Frangie told host Mia O'Brien. "To go up to five, you got to have somebody you really like. Well, Cam Ward, Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, that kind of player. I don't know that there's another player at the ground that someone would really mortgage some future to go get. That's my opinion. I think there is. I think after those three players, the draft leans out a bunch."
Frangie continued, "It's a good first round... They need a defensive tackle, they need a receiver, they need a cover corner. That's probably the first three spots. Now that doesn't mean that absolutely they're going to pick in the first three picks, but we know that. The reason everybody is mocking Mason Graham is that's a clear need, and he's a guy that measures up as a top 5, 6, 7 draft pick
Look, they like Mason Smith. They think they may have something there. They like Jordan Jefferson."
"They think they may have something there. Everyone still holds out hope that Devon Hamilton can refine that magic edge to a few years ago, before the illness. Hopefully, there's something left there with Arik Armstead, but let's be honest, that's a spot they've got to address, that one spot they didn't address the free agency. But looking at the model, it looks like they've got to do that."
As Frangie noted, the Jaguars have several "solid" defensive tackles but not one that's truly a difference-maker. Graham could be the last piece in the puzzle. While he lacks ideal arm strength, his power and athleticism routinely showed up on tape.
Heck, Mason himself may be bracing for the possibility of going to Jacksonville, wearing a shirt with a Jaguars logo during a workout on a post that's since been deleted. Below is Frangie's full exchange with O'Brien.
Why the Jaguars could end up picking Mason Graham at No. 5
It's worth noting that Frank Frangie is far from the only voice who thinks Mason Graham should (or will) be the pick at No. 5. The consensus believes the Jacksonville Jaguars will draft the Mission Viejo, California native.
By the time the Jaguars are on the clock, Cam Ward, Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, and maybe Will Campbell will be off the board. That leaves Graham, offensive tackle Armand Membou, pass rusher Jalon Carter, and maybe running back Ashton Jeanty as their best options.
Membou could come in and compete for a starting job at guard or tackle. On the other hand, Ashton Jeanty would give the Jags a dynamic backfield alongside Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne. Neither player would address a need but would raise the floor at their respective position. Something similar would happen if Graham is the pick.
Maason Smith finished 2024 strong and is expected to build off his rookie season, and Arik Armstead will switch back to defensive tackle after mostly playing on the edge last year. Graham would come in and turn the position into a strength.
Of course, the Jags could always take a different route at No. 5, but Mason Graham could be the safest of the bunch, even if the pick lacks luster.