Per his agents Ryan Tollner and Ryan Matha of excel sports, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to on a contract with the team's pick draft selection, defensive tackle Mason Graham. Fully guaranteed, the deal is worth $40,874,191 over four seasons. There is a fifth-year team option.
The Browns made the controversial decision to trade down from second pick, moving down to the selection in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In addition to the fifth pick, the Browns also also acquired the 36th pick and the first round pick of the Jaguars in 2026 as well as some other swaps later in the draft.
The Jaguars selected Travis Hunter, the wide receiver and corner out of Colorado. The Browns picked Mason Graham, the defensive tackle out of Michigan. Graham was a three-year starter for the Wolverines. Dominant in both his sophomore and junior campaigns, Graham headlined a defense which helped the Wolverines win a national championship. His junior season, Michigan did not experience nearly the same level of success, their lone achievement defeating Ohio State to end the regular season. Graham was named the team's MVP in his final season.
The Browns begin their OTAs this week. With his contract ready to be signed, Graham will be one of the points of interest. He joins a defense which has been productive over the past two seasons. Graham replaces Dalvin Tomlinson, who was released after this past season and has since signed with Arizona Cardinals. The Browns also signed Maliek Collins as a free agent after he was cut by the San Francisco 49ers.
Combined with the selections of Mike Hall Jr. and Jowon Briggs from last year's draft, the Browns have completely revamped the middle of their defensive line. Save for Collins, the unit is decidedly younger. Hall and Briggs are in preparing for their second seasons, but Hall has not yet turned 22. Graham will celebrate his 22nd birthday in September.
Graham is the fifth player in the Browns' draft class that has agreed to terms on their rookie deal. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the first of two second round picks, tight end Harold Fannin, the first of their two third round picks, fourth-round running back Dylan Sampson and Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback and fifth-round pick out of Colorado have all either agreed to terms or signed their contracts.
Quinshon Judkins, the running back who was selected with the second round pick acquired in the trade with the Jaguars and quarterback Dillon Gabriel, picked with the third round pick added in the trade with the Buffalo Bills for wide receiver Amari Cooper, are the two who remain unsigned.
Wednesday will be the first day that media is able to attend OTAs for this season.