Rookie minicamp is in session for the Cleveland Browns, and all eyes are on Shedeur Sanders after his stunning fall in the 2025 NFL draft resulted in the Browns scooping him up in the fifth round with the No. 144 pick. On day one of minicamp, Sanders appears to have quite the first impression on fellow rookie Mason Graham.
After trading down from the No. 2 overall pick to the No. 5 overall pick, the Browns selected Graham, a star defensive tackle from the Michigan Wolverines. Some folks wondered whether Cleveland would use this pick to address their quarterback spot, but they ended up managing to get Sanders in the fifth round instead.
Sanders’ arrival in camp has created an odd situation for Graham, as he’s not receiving nearly as much attention, despite being a top five pick in the draft. Chances are Graham doesn’t care about that, and it sounds like he’s looking forward to getting to work with Sanders.
“He’s cool,” Graham said of Sanders per Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram. “I met him the other day for the first time and he seems like a good dude, and he’s all about ball. I want to play with guys that are like-minded.”
Browns No. 5 pick Mason Graham on meeting Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/G7iTBWBeDa
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) May 9, 2025
In addition to Sanders, the Browns also selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the draft. That gives them a loaded quarterback depth chart, as the team also has Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett at this spot, although Watson could miss the entire 2025 campaign after he re-ruptured his Achilles back in January.
Graham, meanwhile, profiles as an immediate starter for Cleveland on their interior defensive line after he racked up 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and seven tackles for a loss in 2024 for Michigan. Considering how high of a pick they used on him, the Browns likely have big expectations for Graham as he enters his rookie season.
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