With the 2025 NFL draft just around the corner, the New York Jets remain locked in on pre-draft evaluations. While that sentence is relatively boring, the next one is anything but …
Aaron Glenn and company recently met with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham yet again.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jets hosted the best interior defensive lineman in the draft for a top-30 visit on Tuesday.
The key takeaway here is the use of “again.” Despite the seemingly tough fit on the inside of the defensive line, the Jets-Graham combination is beginning to pick up steam.
As Rapoport wrote in his X post, the Jets have spent “considerable” time with Graham, including a formal interview at the combine, dinner the night before his pro day, and this official top-30 visit.
A four-star recruit hailing from Servite High School in Anaheim, CA, Graham initially committed to Michigan, ultimately spending all three of his college seasons as a Wolverine.
Throughout his three seasons in Ann Arbor, Graham appeared in 39 games, posting 108 total tackles (18 for loss), nine sacks, and one forced fumble.
During the 2024 season, the California native played in 12 games, logging 45 total tackles (seven for loss) with 3.5 sacks.
Over the past two seasons, Graham graded among the nation’s best at his position, ranking above the 95th percentile in pass sets, run defense, pass-rush win rate, and solo run-stop rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ranked No. 4 overall on Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, a potential challenge for the Jets in selecting Graham is his fit alongside Quinnen Williams on the defensive line. At 6-foot-3 and 296 pounds, with below-average length and hand size, Graham profiles as a classic 3-technique defensive tackle, a role Williams holds down with ease.
It would be more valuable for the Jets to covet a sturdier, space-eating 1-technique as a better fit next to Williams, someone who can clog the interior and allow Williams to maximize his pass-rushing ability.
As the draft draws closer, the Jets could certainly still consider Graham if he remains on the board when the organization makes its No. 7 overall selection.
