Mason Graham felt right at home Friday as he took his first steps inside CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as a member of the Browns.
It wasn't the first time Graham, whom the Browns drafted fifth overall Thursday in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, stepped inside Cleveland's headquarters. That happened earlier in the offseason when he took a pre-draft visit to meet head coach Kevin Stefanski, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and everyone else on the coaching staff looking to confirm what they believed when they watched his tape: Graham, an All-American DT from Michigan, would be a perfect fit on the defense.
As he spent his first few hours back inside the building Friday, Graham could see even more how their belief came to fruition.
"Ever since my top 30 visit, I had a good feeling about all the coaches," Graham said. "I met with all of them and had a good feeling, from top to bottom. The staff, everyone here, fits what I want to be brought into."
Check out exclusive photos as Browns first-round pick Mason Graham arrives at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea following the 2025 NFL Draft. See his first moments with the team as he begins his NFL career.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham arrives in Cleveland during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo with his family at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham arrives in Cleveland during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham arrives in Cleveland during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham arrives in Cleveland during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns first round pick Mason Graham spoke to the media in the Dino Lucarelli Media Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025.
Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry was beaming on his FaceTime call with Graham on Thursday as he told him he would be "taylor made" to the Browns' defensive schemes. The Browns believe Graham will be an immediate force on a defensive line designed to deliver pressure on quarterbacks and plug running lanes, which is all Graham did across two seasons as a starter with the Wolverines.
Graham was one of Michigan's most valuable players in 2023 when it won the National Championship and provided multiple sparks in the semifinal game at the Rose Bowl, where he totaled four tackles and one tackle for a loss. As a junior in 2024, Graham cemented himself as the top defensive tackle prospect in the draft by amassing a career-high 45 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
Stats, however, don't tell the full story to what Graham put on film. His power and speed were obvious strengths the Browns believe will translate well at the NFL level, particularly in a defense designed by Schwartz, who designs his game plans around finding ways for his defensive linemen to overpower the trenches.
"He's been talking about taking the handcuffs off me," Graham said. "I'm used to playing blocks, but now it's getting off the ball and (doing) more attacking, causing negative plays for the offense. I feel like I can fit right into the scheme."
Graham knows those tasks will be easier with six-time Pro Bowler Myles Garrett commanding plenty of attention next to him. Garrett didn't take long to welcome Graham to Cleveland, either, and sent him a text minutes after Graham walked off the stage following his hug with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
"That's the perfect situation I wanted to come into," Graham said. "He's an established vet that does it the best. He's been the best for quite some time now. He has a lot of knowledge, so I'll just learn from him."
Like any rookie, Graham will go through an extensive learning process as he picks up a playbook and begins rookie meetings at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, but the Browns feel confident that it won't take long for him to be ready to become one of their top defensive forces.
At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Graham's physical traits alone are enough to get the coaching staff excited, and he proved with his production in Michigan that he can use all of it to his advantage and beat whatever plans an offensive line has to slow him.
"You saw plenty of times that when he goes, he goes," Stefanski said Thursday night. "He has great balance, great ability to be disruptive, and make plays in the run game and in the pass game. Those interior rushers are really valuable in this scheme."
Graham could feel that appreciation as he made his way around the offices and locker room for his first time as a Browns player.
Now, he knows it's time to get to work as he begins life in a home built to suit him.
"Everyone around the building has been really cool," he said. "I'm just excited to come back in two weeks, get to rookie minicamp and start working."
