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Michigan DT Mason Graham Shares Honest Thoughts on Raiders & Pete Carroll

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin C. Boyd | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 11:57 AM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have so many big needs on offense and many mock drafts project them to address those with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the team could also decide to double down on the defensive line.

The Raiders already have two Pro Bowl-level defensive linemen in Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Malcolm Koonce is a rising star and it sounds like they'd like to re-sign him. That's not to mention that former No. 7 pick Tyree Wilson showed some growth in Year 2 and could possibly take another leap in year 3.

The one need they could have is for another defensive tackle to line up with Wilkins.

Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is widely considered the best in the class and could be a game-wrecker at the NFL level. Putting him on a defensive line with Wilkins, Crosby and Koonce could give the Raiders one of the most ferocious pass rushes in the NFL.

While Graham doesn't have a say on where he'll go, he confirmed at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine that he has already met with the Raiders and had some high praise for the franchise.

“They’re a great organization. Pete Carroll is a cool guy, a player’s coach,” Graham told Reporters at the Combine, via Levi Edwards of Raiders.com.

Graham is a player to watch with the Raiders, especially if they address their quarterback need in free agency or with a trade. The Philadelphia Eagles proved in the Super Bowl that an unstoppable pass rush is the key to beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Graham would give the Raiders one of the most exciting defensive lines in the NFL.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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