Mason Graham beat center Luke Fortner, burst into the backfield and dropped Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard for no gain. The first play from scrimmage Sunday set a tone for the Browns defense and was a sign of things to come for the second-year defensive tackle in the 21-18 win over the Panthers.
Graham finished with two sacks and seven tackles, including three for loss. Through three games, he’s tied for second in the NFL with four sacks.
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“It feels really good,” Graham said. “Just seeing the practice habits come to life. That’s really what it is. And just also my guys upfront, we all worked together on those rushes. It wasn’t just me. So, yeah, it was fun out there today.”
The Browns drafted Graham out of the University of Michigan with the No. 5 pick in 2025 after trading down from No. 2. He was solid as a rookie, starting all 17 games for the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense and totaling 49 tackles, seven for loss, and four passes defensed. But he had only a half-sack and four quarterback hits.
He returned this year stronger and more comfortable in the attacking system. He was motivated to help fill the void created when NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was traded to the Rams.
“Obviously I feel like I took a little step, but last year I was still playing good in my eyes, I just wasn’t getting the production off of it,” Graham said. “So I just feel like it’s all coming back for this year.”
He’s fulfilled that promise through the Browns’ 2-1 start. In addition to the four sacks, he has 15 tackles, six for loss, and five quarterback hits.
“That boy hooping,” end Jared Verse said. “That’s how he is. He’s going to ball out. He going to keep doing it. He going to continue to keep going and being better every week.
“He’s just dominating ’em.”
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who caught two touchdowns, enjoyed the show vs. the Panthers.
“I love that. I call him 26. Can’t tell y’all why,” Fannin said of Graham. “Special to be able to see it on the sideline and watch him go crazy. He’s ballin’ and I’m proud of him.”
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Fannin quickly gave up the reason for the nickname.
“All right, his signing bonus,” he said — as in millions of dollars.
Graham’s first sack Sunday came on a fourth down when he looped around and got free with the help of tackle Maliek Collins. Graham’s celebration included him counting his sacks this season on his fingers. The second sack helped stop the first of Carolina’s two drives in the last two minutes. Graham beat the left guard, then squeezed past the center when he tried to help.
“He a dawg. He a dawg. But he practice like a dawg too though,” said linebacker Quincy Williams, who had a game-high nine tackles. “So when it’s get on the field, he’s just getting paid for his hard work that he’s been doing during the week. So I like that.”
Graham said the first full sack of his career in the opening loss to the Jaguars wasn’t a relief. It’s what he expects from himself.
He also took his first two-sack outing in stride.
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“Just playing my technique, worked hard in practice, and when you work hard in practice, it comes to fruition in the game,” he said.
New defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg gushed over Graham when asked about him last week.
“I pause just to take a second, because he’s unbelievable with his preparation. He’s incredible,” he said. “He’s putting it together with his footwork, his hands and his mind and we’re seeing the production. It’s really cool, and it’s only going to continue to get better.”
Collins, who’s in his 11th year, has served as a mentor to Graham the last two years. He’s proud of his pupil.
“He’s just hungry, he just wants it,” Collins told The Chronicle-Telegram last week. “That’s what you want for the start.”
While Collins complimented Graham’s effort and ability to fight “through the sh**” for one of the sacks, he noted Graham didn’t get caught up in the personal success.
“He’s not even proud of it,” Collins said. “He’s still working. He’s still got urgency in his approach. Hats off to him.”
Graham was a huge part of Rutenberg’s “60 minutes of hell” motto for the Panthers game. From the first play until the final seconds, Graham made life difficult on the Panthers line and quarterback Bryce Young.
“I feel like that was our main thing,” Graham said. “In the past two games, he was sitting in the pocket, no one was really touching him. He was able to tee off on defenses. So that was a big emphasis for us was getting back there, rushing forward and just doing what we do.”
Graham corrected a reporter who said he had five sacks and laughed when Garrett’s NFL season record of 23 sacks a year ago was mentioned. He did say Friday he thinks about it.
“That’s always a goal,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I want to be proud of what I put on tape. So that’s what I’m looking for every week.”
Safety Grant Delpit noted Graham, like any good young player, has gotten better at taking care of his body. Graham credits a routine that includes daily time in the sauna.
“Just really figuring out my plan and sticking to it, being consistent with what I’ve been doing this whole offseason and just sticking to it, practice hard and show in the game,” he said. “I feel like as a rookie you kind of just try some things, see what works for you, what works not. So I just based my plan off that, what I liked from last year and what I didn’t like, what I needed to improve on, what I was already good at.”
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger predicted big things from his good friend before the season.
“It’s exactly what I’ve seen last year and in offseason and now starting the season,” he said. “He’s a great player who goes out there and makes plays.”
