I wrote an article close to the end of March that essentially described DE Myles Garrett’s huge extension that was made as a potential mistake. The idea is that he can’t fully win a game as a single player out on the field and the cost was way too expensive.
READ THAT FULL ARTICLE – CLICK HERE
Fast-forward to the first round of this 2025 NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns decided to trade down from the second overall pick to the fifth overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is the entire deal:
In my opinion, that’s quite a haul just to have to move back a few spots. Of course, the Jags did this so that they could select a two-way stud in WR/DB Travis Hunter out of Colorado. A player that us fans (and the front office) may be watching highlights of for many years to come with regret.
Well, the Browns went on and selected DT Mason Graham, arguably the best defensive tackle in the draft out of Michigan.
No, a defensive tackle is not a sexy pick at all. Especially with the idea that the team could’ve taken the aforementioned Hunter to begin with at the #2 slot and chose not to.
However, let’s think about this.
Remember that Myles Garrett guy I was talking about?
Well, he’s pretty damn good at his position and still in his prime at 29-years-old. This addition of Graham to play with him on the defensive line provides an incredible force to attack opposing quarterbacks together. Additionally, the run-stopping is automatically improved with this pick. Teams are going to fear the Browns attacking the passer…
And it’s not just Garrett to look out for anymore.
Say this same exact player was out of Ohio State instead of Michigan, well, people in these parts would be a lot more excited about the selection because of the obvious college football rivalry.
Honestly, my entire life has been the Browns making sexy high picks that end up being busts throughout their entire careers. It’s never a guarantee in this sport and I believe that the Dawgs felt that with everything they received, it was much better than, say, the Hunter pick alone.
Also, keep in mind the Browns currently have the 33rd and 36th picks in this second round and thus could select two legit stars early in round two while still getting that incredible tackle at the fifth pick.
Those selections remain to be seen, of course.
Defense wins championships. It’s the oldest saying in the books. The Browns did well in establishing a crucial position that can help a defense thrive from top to bottom. Now, it remains to be seen how these picks received from the trade pan out in the future and if the D-Line itself thrives as a whole!
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