Deshaun Watson isn’t the only Cleveland Browns player who is completely flipping the narrative about himself this season. On the other side of the ball, Mason Graham is changing many perceptions as well.
Of course, Graham does not have the extensive personal baggage that Watson is trying to overcome in his fifth season with the Browns. The young defensive tackle is only trying to justify his status as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after an underwhelming rookie campaign.
After getting just one-half sack last year, Graham already has four in three games, and the Browns defender is entering the conversation for a big NFL award, establishing himself as a contender for Defensive Player of the Year.
“He’s like Defensive Player of the Year conversation good the way he’s playing right now. He’s been awesome. He’s already one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL right now,” Daniel Jeremiah said.
"He's Defensive Player of the Year conversation good."
Mason Graham is off to an incredible start to the season for the @Browns 📈#Browns #DawgPound #ClevelandBrowns pic.twitter.com/gFn6wQgl6f
— Move The Sticks Podcast (@MTSPodOmaha) September 29, 2026
Graham is tied for second in the league in sacks with Will Anderson of the Houston Texans, two behind Greg Rousseau of the Buffalo Bills. He also has 15 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits.
Last season, in 17 games, Graham had 49 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. So he is already well ahead of that pace.
Insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said she believes that Graham has benefited greatly from the trade of Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. She said Graham would defer to the All-Pro veteran and is now free to be himself and display his skills rather than setting up Garrett to get sacks.
Interestingly, Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year last season, when he set the NFL record with 23.0 sacks. He also won the award for the 2024 campaign.
According to Pro Football Focus, Graham has generated nine pressures in Cleveland’s first three games, adding four hurries and one QB hit to his sacks. Against the run, he has eight solo tackles, which shows his excellent versatility.
Graham will get an early chance to convince voters for the award with a prime-time game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
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