The Cleveland Browns unfortunately lost to the Baltimore Ravens in week 2 by a score of 41-17, but in the midst of consistent offensive dysfunction, one of Cleveland’s rookies impressed all game long.
DT Mason Graham, the Browns’ 2025 1st-round NFL Draft pick, had himself a game against the Ravens’ interior offensive line on Sunday. This is the same Baltimore interior group that’s anchored by All-Pro C Tyler Linderbaum and 6’8”, 360-pound OG Daniel Faalele.
Heading into the matchup, it was plausible
to think that Graham could have a nice day rushing the passer due to his above-average agility and upper-body strength. Though he did flash a couple of times in this area, where he stood out was in the run game for DC Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Despite the final score, Graham spent the day completely dominating Baltimore’s offensive line.
In the above clip, it’s easy to see how his get-off and movement skills allowed him to completely shut down this play. He explodes off the ball, shoots underneath the right tackle’s base block, and interferes with Tyler Linderbaum’s pull here. Graham single-handedly made this play, and he did this multiple times throughout the game. There were a few instances where he looked virtually unblockable inside, specifically in the 1st half.
Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ offense couldn’t do anything against Cleveland’s defensive front on Sunday, and Henry finished the game with 11 attempts for 23 rushing yards to go along with a 2.1 ypc average and a fumble. That type of stat line for one of the best running backs and rushing offenses in league is mind-boggling, especially for a game this early in the season.
Mason Graham was seemingly in on every defensive stop at or near the line of scrimmage, and he finished the game with 5 total tackles, and a huge tackle for loss.
He hasn’t made as much of a splash as a pass rusher just yet, but he’ll get there.
The Browns still have a long way to go before they’ll be consistently competitive again, but Mason Graham’s development and already above-average presence on the interior defensive line will undoubtedly speed up the process.
What are your thoughts on Mason Graham’s performance against Baltimore? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below
