SB Nation mock draft: Defensive line bolstered with Mason Graham

Bypassing need and going with the ‘best player available’ approach in the first round for the second year in a row

With the sixth overall pick in the 2025 SB Nation mock NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders select Mason Graham, defensive tackle, Michigan.

Cam Ward (Titans), Travis Hunter (Browns), Abdul Carter (Giants), Armand Membou (Patriots) and Will Campbell (Jaguars) were off the board, and the temptation to address a need with Shedeur Sanders or Ashton Jeanty was there. But Graham is just too good of a talent to pass up on, much like taking Brock Bowers last season.

Coincidentally, Graham’s game compares similarly to Christian Wilkins. So, there is a bit of a question about how those two can be on the field together since they’re both 3-technique defensive tackles.

However, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham had the Raiders in a lot of odd fronts last season, meaning the rookie and Wilkins can line up as 4i- or 5-techniques on opposite sides of the defensive line.

With Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce on the edges, and Graham and Wilkins on the interior, all Las Vegas’ defensive line would need is a nose tackle to be complete. That would also give the team one of the best d-lines and pass-rushes in the NFL to help the young secondary out.

SB Nation’s Michael Peterson, who covers the Los Angeles Chargers for Bolts From the Blue, also weighed in on the Raiders’ selection.

“The Raiders really luck out here with Graham dropping to them at No. 6. Similarly to last year’s draft, the board falls perfectly for them to land a blue-chip prospect outside of the top five,” Peterson wrote. “Graham will slide in next to Christian Wilkins along the interior, with both Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce on the edge. That’s immediately one of the best defensive lines in the AFC West.

“Graham’s explosive first step to teleport into the backfield will only make life easier for Crosby, who just signed one of the most-lucrative contracts in NFL history for a non-QB. If I’m Crosby, and the Raiders are on the clock here, I’d personally write Graham’s name on the card and sprint it up myself.

“The Raiders could have easily taken Jeanty or [Tetairoa] McMillan to pair with new quarterback Geno Smith, but the chance to really lean into the disruptiveness of their front seven was too good to pass up. They’ll look to solidify their offense in later rounds, specifically the offensive line and wide receiver rooms.”

Peterson and I are in agreement here that this was the Silver and Black’s best option with how the board fell. But what are your thoughts? How would you grade the selection?