ESPN did a mock draft for the 2025 NFL Draft. It predicted that the Dallas Cowboys would earn a top-10 selection and pick a Michigan defender in the first round for the second time in three years.
The Wolverine in question is defensive lineman Mason Graham. Why did ESPN say he would be a good fit for the Cowboys?
“The Cowboys began the 2024 season with Super Bowl aspirations but are picking in the top 10 of this mock, indicating a roster in need of a talent infusion. They’ve locked in their offensive nucleus with extensions of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but Graham could help on defense. He has been an unstoppable force for Michigan, posting 12 run stops and 22 pressures this season. I love his first-step speed through gaps and relentless effort in chasing quarterbacks.The Cowboys could also go running back here given their rushing issues, and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (my No. 10 overall player) is still on the board. But the Cowboys need help at too many spots, and the RB class is deep enough for them to wait.”
Graham, a California native, won All-American honors as a sophomore while helping lead Michigan to an undefeated season culminating with a CFP title win.
Graham has 17 tackles with 3.5 sacks, a career-high, while Michigan has stumbled to a 5-5 record a year after winning it all during his junior campaign.
If the season ended today the Cowboys would have the No. 9 pick in the draft which would be their highest since choosing Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.