Michigan’s defensive tackle Mason Graham has been identified as a target to trade up for
It’s unlikely the 49ers will use all 11 of their picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Given the log jam of talent vying for a spot on the 53-man roster, the 49ers are in a prime position to move up in the draft order for a player high on their board. The compensatory pick formula following the promotion of minority coaches or front office members, the team has stockpiled third-round picks during the John Lynch/Kyle Shanahan era.
Sitting at pick 11 puts the 49ers in a spot to play the board as it falls, but also the opportunity to be aggressive for a player the organization covets. With multiple needs across the roster, the question is, which position is more important for 2025’s immediate needs? Will it be for an offensive or defensive lineman? Perhaps a cornerback?
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus has identified the 49ers as a team that could make a move up the draft board. Specifically, the team will move up for a defensive lineman.
As an extension of the Jaguars’ section, the 49ers could look to move up to get their hands on one of the top offensive or defensive linemen. They have 11 draft picks right now and likely won’t use all of them. Their extra third- and fourth-rounders could come in handy to get aggressive for the player who I believe is perfect for them in this class: Michigan’s Mason Graham.
Graham is the No. 4 overall player on PFF’s big board and likely wouldn’t last until the 49ers’ pick outside the top 10. He ranked first in PFF overall grade in 2024 among all interior defenders in college football and would instantly boost San Francisco’s trenches.
EDGE and defensive tackle need serious upgrades with the imminent move of Javon Hargrave’s release, and the lack of young and impactful EDGE rushers. Drake Jackson hasn’t worked out so far, and Leonard Floyd was viewed as a veteran band-aid in 2024.
The scenarios for the 49ers at pick 11 are limitless. NFL drafts are strange, as players plummet while previously unknown players are taken much higher than projected.
Graham, in particular, is coming off a career season in his final year at Michigan with 34 pressures, five sacks, nine QB hits, and 20 hurries on 338 pass-rushing snaps. In run defense, Graham scored a career-high 92.6 run defense grade while adding 30 defensive stops.
With an 81.1 pass-rushing grade, Graham would be a young and improved defensive tackle on the interior in 2025. Is the price too steep? That will be the question.
Let us know in the comments how you feel about trading up for Mason Graham!