One of the best in the business, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, released his first 2025 NFL mock draft. So, who did he have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking?
Jeremiah went with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham at fifth overall to the Jaguars–a popular selection for Jacksonville in the early going.
Graham did produce as a pass rusher this past season, totaling 34 pressures and five sacks. However, his bread and butter in the middle of that Michigan front was as a run defender.
According to PFF’s metrics, Graham had the highest run-defense grade of all interior defensive linemen in 2024. He also ranked second among his position group in run-stop rate as well.
“Graham is one of the cleaner evaluations in the draft,” wrote Jeremiah. “He provides unbelievable quickness, balance and instincts.”
With Graham, you know what you’re getting and he can make an impact right away. Oftentimes, the impact of a good interior defender goes beyond the stat sheet. That player’s presence can help open up opportunities for others with the space they eat up and the double-teams they take on.
The Jaguars have a strong foundation along the defensive front with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker at defensive end, but the defensive tackle position could use a boost. Some help in that regard could come from Arik Armstead moving back to the defensive tackle spot in 2025.
The best way to wreck any play from a defensive perspective is with a quick push from up the middle. Strong play up front also comes with a huge benefit to the secondary–where the Jaguars also need help–by keeping the opposing offense behind the sticks and in obvious passing situations.
