Which prospect at fifth overall in the 2025 NFL draft would give the Jacksonville Jaguars the best value?
This is the question that ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid answered for each NFL team.
Of course, if Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter were to fall to pick No. 5, those are the obvious choices here. However, those are unlikely scenarios as well.
So, with Mason Graham, Will Campbell, Ashton Jeanty, and perhaps even Tyler Warren all potential options at fifth overall for the Jaguars, Reid chose Graham as providing the best value.
“Interior defensive line is now considered to be a premium position, and Graham is my highest-graded player at that spot (and No. 3 overall),” wrote Reid. “With his excellent strength, he’d slot perfectly in the middle of an already disruptive Jacksonville defensive front.”
The value here for the Jaguars is twofold. For one, defensive tackle is a major need, and Graham is considered the top prospect at that position.
But, also, as we saw from the Philadelphia Eagles last season, a strong interior presence on the defensive line does wonders for an entire defense. When there is a steady push up front, space being eaten up, and blockers being occupied, every other defender on the field benefits.
Graham finished the 2024 season with 34 pressures and five sacks, along with being PFF’s highest graded interior run defender and ranking second in run-stop rate.
However, to truly see Graham’s impact on the Michigan defense, you have to go beyond his individual column on the stat sheet and look at how the overall defense performed with him on the field versus without.
It was a night and day difference, and by making this pick, the Jaguars are hoping that Graham’s impact goes past just his own numbers.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Michigan’s Mason Graham gives Jaguars best value at 5
Which prospect at fifth overall in the 2025 NFL draft would give the Jacksonville Jaguars the best value?
This is the question that ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid answered for each NFL team.
Of course, if Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter were to fall to pick No. 5, those are the obvious choices here. However, those are unlikely scenarios as well.
So, with Mason Graham, Will Campbell, Ashton Jeanty, and perhaps even Tyler Warren all potential options at fifth overall for the Jaguars, Reid chose Graham as providing the best value.
“Interior defensive line is now considered to be a premium position, and Graham is my highest-graded player at that spot (and No. 3 overall),” wrote Reid. “With his excellent strength, he’d slot perfectly in the middle of an already disruptive Jacksonville defensive front.”
The value here for the Jaguars is twofold. For one, defensive tackle is a major need, and Graham is considered the top prospect at that position.
But, also, as we saw from the Philadelphia Eagles last season, a strong interior presence on the defensive line does wonders for an entire defense. When there is a steady push up front, space being eaten up, and blockers being occupied, every other defender on the field benefits.
Graham finished the 2024 season with 34 pressures and five sacks, along with being PFF’s highest graded interior run defender and ranking second in run-stop rate.
However, to truly see Graham’s impact on the Michigan defense, you have to go beyond his individual column on the stat sheet and look at how the overall defense performed with him on the field versus without.
It was a night and day difference, and by making this pick, the Jaguars are hoping that Graham’s impact goes past just his own numbers.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Michigan’s Mason Graham gives Jaguars best value at 5
