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Mason Graham is wasting no time showing why the Cleveland Browns wanted him and was okay with passing on Travis Hunter

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 28, 2025 2:07 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns were back on the practice field in Berea on Tuesday afternoon for the only media-accessible session of the week.

It marked the first look at all the rookies practicing alongside the veterans who reported for voluntary minicamp.

While the spotlight was primarily on the four quarterbacks taking reps, it may have been the Browns’ top draft pick who delivered the play of the day.

Mason Graham Makes Dillon Gabriel Pay on Second Day of OTAs

The Browns drafted Mason Graham to be a disruptive force in the middle of the defense—and that means getting near the football. On Tuesday, he did just that. Though he couldn’t get to rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel for a sack, Graham batted a pass at the line of scrimmage, leading to an interception that was returned for a presumed touchdown.

Mason Graham tips the Gabriel pass and it’s picked pic.twitter.com/LU6HHDxtOl
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 28, 2025

Graham has the tools to make an impact both as a run-stopper and an active pass rusher. In this instance, he didn’t generate a traditional rush but instead read Gabriel’s throwing lane perfectly and made him pay. Plays like this are why batted passes are tracked—they’re valuable game-changers.

After practice, head coach Kevin Stefanski offered an encouraging early assessment of the rookie defender, whom the Browns selected with a top-5 pick.

“Really working extremely hard,” Stefanski said. “In the weight room, I see him here putting extra work in.”

.@masongraham_55 has been grinding day in and day out pic.twitter.com/EfEFl9hird
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 28, 2025

Cleveland needs Graham to be more than just a solid player—he has the ceiling to become a difference-maker. After passing on Travis Hunter and allowing the Jacksonville Jaguars to draft him, the Browns are banking on their trade paying off. That trade package included Graham, Quinton Judkins, and a first-round pick in next year’s draft.

It’s still only OTAs, and teams aren’t going full speed yet, but it’s a promising sign that Graham is already making his presence felt.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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