The Chicago Bears are usually careful not to mention names they are interested in going into a draft, but they’ve developed a reputation for dropping hints. They always come on their annual series, 1920 Football Drive. Last year, GM Ryan Poles was filmed mentioning, “I love this kid.” Through careful detective work, it was believed he was speaking about Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze. We later learned that Poles really wanted to draft him, and ended up doing so. This year, cameras caught a conversation between Poles and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen at the scouting combine. They spoke animatedly about a player they both like. It was speculated that the topic of discussion was Mason Graham.
Most experts believe the Michigan defensive tackle is the best at his position in the draft. For several weeks, the belief was he wouldn’t get past the Jacksonville Jaguars at #5 overall. They need interior pass rush help. It’s a natural fit. However, Adam Schefter of ESPN just poured cold water on that idea. He is hearing the Jaguars may go in a different direction.
Many mock drafts have pegged the Jaguars to select Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5 overall. As the venerable Lee Corso says, however — not so fast, my friends. New GM James Gladstone — who has 10 picks to work with, including four in the top 90 — might not be that predictable. As one league executive said recently: “Jacksonville is a wild card — watch.”
Jaguars coach Liam Coen has long had a soft spot for wide receivers in the draft, and the top-rated wideout in this class, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, has drawn comparisons to … the Bucs’ Mike Evans.
Mason Graham would be a great fit for the Bears.
Allen’s defense has long preferred having an interior pass rush presence. During his run with the New Orleans Saints, they drafted both Sheldon Rankins and Bryan Bresee in the 1st round. Chicago just signed Grady Jarrett to a large contract in free agency. It is pretty clear Allen has a type, and Graham fits it. While he isn’t known for great size or length, he’s quick, violent, and has a non-stop motor. Interior offensive linemen will learn to hate him because he is such a pest to deal with.
Smart defensive coordinators, like Allen, will find the worst athlete of the three interior spots of every opponent and line Mason Graham up against. If he gets past Jacksonville at #5, the odds go up significantly for him reaching Chicago at #10. Las Vegas already has Christian Wilkins as its interior pass rusher. New York has Quinnen Williams. Carolina could take him at #8, but they seem focused on finding an edge rusher. New Orleans at #9? They have Bresee. While one of those teams may take him anyway, it feels like there is a serious path for him to reach Chicago.
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