Big Cat Country
There’s only one name on this week’s roundup. And his name is Mason Graham.
Let’s get right to the chase. This week’s roundup is all about Mason Graham.
Graham has been the frontrunner in the clubhouse for this entire offseason cycle and this week it’s unanimous across the board that the Jacksonville Jaguars should draft Graham at No. 5.
With how the Jags operated in free agency, the team has set themselves up to probably sit back and draft the best available player at five and all signs point to Graham. Read our own Simon Carroll’s thoughts on how the Jags put themselves in that position.
Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante
Speaking of free agency, this mock sums it all up. The team strengthened the offensive front immediately in free agency and in turn can focus on the other line in the draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars focused on their offensive line in free agency and added depth in the secondary. Now, in this mock draft, they’re in a great position to strengthen their defensive line. Mason Graham’s athleticism and quick hands make him a dangerous pass rusher at defensive tackle, but what really stands out is his pad level, anchor strength, and awareness in run defense. He has the tools to be an immediate contributor with Pro Bowl potential.
If there is one thing that shows up in a lot of clips about Graham is his motor. Much will be said about his size– particularly with his “shorter arms”— but the former wrestler more than makes up for it with constantly hustling. Guys like that are almost certainly who the Jags would want to fill their building with.
I’m sure new head coach Liam Coen wouldn’t mind getting some added protection for Trevor Lawrence , but Mason Graham is too good of a player to pass up here. His arm length isn’t that of a typical top-10 defensive tackle, but his tenacity, strength, technique and consistency more than make up for it.
This mock draft analysis is about as good as you can get for Graham and the past few years of Jags fandom.
With Trent Baalke out, it’s now safe to mock good players with short arms to the Jaguars. Graham is a pro-ready 3-technique with a well rounded skillset and rare technical prowess for a player of his age.
Even pundits across the board are almost tired of talking about Graham to the Jags as it just makes a lot of sense.
If it feels like everyone is making this pick for the Jags, it’s for good reason. Jacksonville entered the offseason needing to beef up the interior on both lines, and the club just splashed some cash on offensive linemen in free agency. That leaves an obvious hole at defensive tackle and one very productive guy who could fill it.
We end this week with yet another...
