Mason Graham’s first year with the Cleveland Browns was viewed as a slight disappointment. The defensive tackle’s statistics did not match up with what was expected from the No. 5 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he was also overshadowed by second-round pick Carson Schwesinger as the linebacker won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
But Graham may have been better than perceived, especially when you consider that he played the final five games with a broken rib. It was an injury that was not acknowledged until long after the season was over.
Speaking at this year’s training camp, Graham revealed what he wants to achieve this season, and it is in line with what he was able to do last season.
“Make plays, play a lot of snaps, and be one of the anchors of the defense,” Graham said.
#Browns Mason Graham on what he wants to achieve this season pic.twitter.com/kNvxqafGPN
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 8, 2026
Graham was one of just four Browns defenders to start all 17 games last season, along with Myles Garrett, Devin Bush and Ronnie Hickman. The 22-year-old played 763 snaps, which was a 72 percent usage rate, which already makes him an anchor of the defense.
It’s the making plays part of the equation where Graham fell short. Even though a lot of his responsibility was occupying blockers so Garrett could get sacks and Schwesinger could make tackles, his raw numbers left a lot to be desired.
He finished the season with 49 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. Graham also had just one-half sack, a number the Browns need him to increase substantially now that Garrett has been traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
Graham was dealing with a foot injury during training camp and OTAs, when he was seen wearing a walking boot. He has missed recent practices in training camp with an undisclosed issue, but he was able to return on Friday.
The Browns are dealing with several injuries at defensive tackle. Maliek Collins is on the PUP list coming back from a quad injury suffered last season, and Mike Hall Jr., Kalia Davis and Sam Kamara are also sidelined.
If any of them were to miss any time at the start of the regular season, even more responsibility would fall onto Graham’s shoulders.
NEXT: One Browns QB Is Making A Strong Case After Day 10
