April 24, 2025 • 36 mins
On this episode of From the Podium, hear from GM/EVP Andrew Berry, HC Kevin Stefanski, and newest Brown DT Mason Graham.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to a special twenty twenty five NFL Draft edition
of the From the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Colera. It's official.
The Browns have selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with
the number five overall pick. On this episode, you'll hear
from general manager Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and
the newest Brown Mason Graham. We'll start with general manager
Andrew Berry, who discussed his process to trade down to
(00:27):
the fifth pick and select Mason Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
All right, all right, I really excited to use the
fifth overall pick on Mason Graham. He is a DNA
match for our defense, you know, disruptive, you know, interior penetrator.
I think he can really affect you know, the pocket
from from inside. A high motor player, really physical, really tough.
(00:53):
You know, we thought he was one of the more
dominant trench prospects in this year's class. Now, I'll dress obviously,
the trade we just felt like was a fantastic opportunity
for our organization to move down three spots, you know,
still get a you know, a top notch prospect in
the trenches, adding a pick, you know, and what we
view as really the sweet spot for this year's draft class,
(01:14):
and then adding a first round pick next year, you know,
in a class that you know, quite frankly, we think
will be a bit stronger in the first you know,
the first thirty picks. So we just felt like, over
both in the short term and over a multi year
time horizon, it was a it was a fit, you know,
for what we wanted to do with the team and
(01:35):
what we wanted to do with the roster. And you know,
we're excited to add Mason, We're excited to add the
extra draft resources both this year and next, and with
that all opening up for questions, I wouldn't say that
we necessarily targeted an individual player, Tony. There are a
number of players that we liked at the top of
(01:55):
the draft, and we spent a lot of time with
with each of them. Mason would be among that group.
You know, we think he's he's he's one of the
premier you know linemen in this draft on either side
of the ball, and we were excited to have the
opportunity to select him. So, you know, I think that
(02:16):
for any trade, it depends on how far back you're going,
you know, realistically, you know, for this one that like
that was a huge, huge part. It was, uh, you know,
it would have been a non starter for anyone without
getting a future one to you know, to move back,
you know, because these picks, these resources are so are
so valuable.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Andrew, when you look at it the way this played
out to end up with not only five, but thirty
three and thirty six so close together this year and
then those first rounders next year back to back, can
this be transformational for your football team over these two seasons.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yeah, I think we certainly hope that's the case, Mary kay,
you know, but we also have to make good on
the players that we do select, and that's not just
a selection or the acquisition process, but that's development process
as well. But you know, we're excited about because you know,
we look at it as you know, as we sit
here today, we'll have you know, five picks in the
top one hundred three of those in the top thirty six,
(03:10):
and then really over a two year time span, you know,
we'll have five top thirty six picks and probably six
top fifty picks. So that's you know, quite an opportunity
for us, you know, to add young players to the
roster or to use those resources, whether it's for veteran
player or generate other resources over the next twenty four months.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Andrew, is there any because.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
Such?
Speaker 6 (03:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
So, you know, Jeff, you know, we've we've always long
believed that, you know, we want to be elite in
the trenches. You know, with the big guys. They go early,
and they're they're hard to acquire and they're hard to find.
There are a lot of great players that we liked
at the top of the draft, and you know, I
kind of joked with our internal crew, especially as we
got to meet the prospects and their families, that you know,
I wish I had multiple top five picks because they're
(03:59):
not only players, but they're they're great people, and Ashton
would certainly be among them.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Andrew, you, I mean, you really discussed about Travis last week.
I mean, you know, carn Otani, you know all that stuff.
Is there any concern that, like, you just traded a
chance to get a great player that is very unique,
you know, tell you do get these other picks, you.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Know, Terry, I think that you know, we obviously had
strong affinity for Travis, you know, no different than we
had strong affinity for a number of players at the top.
I think the thing for us are there are a
lot of good players in every in every class. And
you know, as much as we liked you know, Travis
or Abdul or you know, Ashton, Jeff like you know,
whoever that may be, you know, the opportunity is still
(04:42):
to get a premiere prospect and add significantly to our resources,
which gives us added flexibility to build the team. You know,
we felt like it was an opportunity to.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
I mean this, you also do this as a chance
you're still recouping picks from the last few years that
you gave away.
Speaker 6 (04:59):
Yeah, I wouldn't. I wouldn't really tie to that.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
This is really more of an independent decision to move
back three spots and to get you know, pick number
thirty six in this draft in a future one while
also getting a top player in the trenches. We thought
that was you know, just an excellent outcome for us
in terms of using the resource of the number two pick.
Speaker 6 (05:20):
Am I supposed to follow the mic? Okay, okay, I
got it.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
I guess Andrew is kind of going off of Terry's question.
But you talk about the chance to add more like
high talented prospects Like, what do you say then to
people that are like, oh, well, they've passed up on
you know, such guys who could be transformational this year
to bet on next year.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
Sort of.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, you know, actually, I think that there's probably more
than you know, one or two top prospects in the draft,
and and by nature, even if you select someone at too,
you're gonna pass on a good play.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
Like by by definition, you're going to pass on a
good player. There's more than one good player in every draft.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And for us to be able to add you know,
multiple premier prospects over a longer time horizon, we think
that will allow us to build a stronger team.
Speaker 7 (06:11):
Kevin recently told me that he saw value and a
lot of guys in the later rounds of the draft.
Speaker 8 (06:16):
Two.
Speaker 7 (06:16):
Where do you now sit with that, and who's left
for you guys, especially on the offensive side of the
ball that you guys might take this year.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, So I think, you know, we really view the
sweet spot of this draft, you know, realistically is is
in day two, we think there's a there's a strong
pool of players, you know, and it flats outs maybe
a little bit more quickly than in some previous drafts,
But Look, I think they're gonna be good players up.
Speaker 6 (06:44):
And down the board.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
And as we sit here today, we have four picks
on on Friday, and we'll be excited about that and
you know, we'll see how the first round unfolds and
what's available to us as we head into tomorrow.
Speaker 9 (06:55):
Andrew, do you and Jim Schwartz believe that Mason Graham
is a better compliment to Miles Garrett than Abdul Carter?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
I wouldn't necessarily, I mean, look, would love to have
both of them, Tony, just to be just to be candid,
you know, we the reason we like Mason is because
he has the ability to to to be an excellent
pass rusher from the interior, and that's really really hard
to get find. It's a premium skill set now in
the NFL. Those guys they make a lot of money
(07:25):
and they very rarely become available. You know, in terms
of Abdul, you know whether where the pass rush comes
from the edge.
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Or the interior, preferably both.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Uh, it doesn't matter to us, but we'll always take
pass rushers.
Speaker 10 (07:39):
Andrew, when you talked about the DNA fit, can you
go a little bit more into that, what specific position
will he play and also just how do you see
him fit in when when Mike Hall was also your
first pick last year and so it seems like he
got a lot at one spot.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
So, so to answer your first question, Nate, you know,
when we say d m a fit, we want players
what we call attack players, So guys who can use movement, quickness,
power to really re establish the line of scrimmage, you know,
get upfield and ultimately rush rush the passer the d line.
They're the engine of our defense and their job is
(08:18):
really just to mess things up at the line of scrimmage,
just to attack and disrupt. And and that's a perfect
fit for both Mason's you know, physical skill set as
well as his competitive competitive personality.
Speaker 6 (08:32):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
In terms of like positionally, like we don't in an
ideal world, we're not really distinguishing our defensive tackles in
our system, like sometimes we'll play with left and right.
I know some teams will say, hey, nose tackle or
three tech. We really just want very similar defensive tackles.
We feel like the best way to get mismatches in
the NFL is to have you know, interior pass rushing
(08:54):
defensive linemen because there's just a lot harder to protect
against slide to than your edge guys, and so we're like,
part of the reason we're so excited is is, you know,
to have Mike and Mason, two guys that we think
will legitimately affect the quarterback and if they get singled
up because Miles is commanding those lives, they can really
(09:15):
make offenses pay. And then the last thing I'd say is,
you know, we really want to be six to eight
deep across the defensive line because we play our guys
like they're like hockey lines, right, like you know they
so we really shuffle them in and out because we
demand so much of them running to the ball, getting
off the ball that you can't play with that intensity
(09:36):
for ninety percent of the snaps for the game.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Andrew with this quarterback class not necessarily being the strongest
one in recent memory, and next year is supposed to
be stronger. Now that you've got two first round picks,
are you guys poised to potentially be in a really
good position to get that spot next year?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah, I think that's a possibility, Mary kay. But I
also say that we're pretty early in the weekend, so
I don't know how the rest of the draft is.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Going to unfold there.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
There's there's talent across positions, including uh, the quarterback position,
and we just really have to see kind of how
our next I'm trying to remember how many picks we have, Peter,
but next seven or eight picks, whatever it is, unfold
throughout the weekend.
Speaker 11 (10:17):
Andrew, along those lines, how you said you guys watched
quarterback classes two years at a time. How much of
this trade has something to do with what you saw
in that.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
I'd say it's it's maybe tangentially related, but it even
with that quite frankly, you know, unless unless we were
going to take a quarterback there, it's it's a trade
we probably would have done regardless.
Speaker 12 (10:42):
Andrew, would you say the goal going into today was
to trade out at number two?
Speaker 2 (10:47):
First of all, Uh, I don't know that that was
the goal, as I put it more broadly as using
number two to make the maximum impact on the team.
Speaker 12 (10:55):
And can you say if Hunter would have been the
pick at number.
Speaker 6 (10:58):
Two, that's gonna have to go to my grave.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, so I'd say this, you know, James and I
you know, we discussed this for probably the better part
of two weeks. Obviously we didn't you know, formalize it,
finalized it until we were on the clock tonight. Actually,
you know, it's obviously the first deal I've I've done
with James, but I respect him a lot because he's
he was great to work with and not often do
(11:28):
you work on a big deal and it doesn't like
necessarily lea immediately. So like knowing that he's actually a
you know, a pretty good a pretty good trade partner,
he deserves a ton of credit for you know, being
a partner and bringing this to fruition.
Speaker 13 (11:41):
And you're obviously a lot of stuffs to play out tonight.
But given some of the capity you added, do you
feel there's you know, there there's still some advantageous opportunities
to potentially move back into the first round before the
night's over.
Speaker 6 (11:52):
Would never say never.
Speaker 14 (11:57):
Uh, Graham played like five different sports, lots of lots
of sports in high school. But how much a player
like that, I mean, when you're looking into the background
and digging into these guys that you know, versatility in
terms of sports they play, how much does that play
into the exactly?
Speaker 6 (12:14):
Yeah, that's a great question, Chris.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
It's something that we we actually track like we we
we actually have a specific area in our scouting reports
where we ask our area guys to document that. And
and candidly, a lot of these players, you know, whether
you're skilled player alignment or like even specialists, Like a
lot of them were top athletes across sports and you know,
in in high school growing up. I think the most
impressive thing with Mason that we really liked was just
(12:37):
his wrestling background. And you can see that in his
play in terms of how he uses leverage, in terms
of how he uses his hands, you know, his grip
strength and and you know, we we do feel like
that there's a there's always a pretty good track record
of these guys who are high end wrestlers, the big
guys who are high end wrestlers, and and how that translates.
But you know, I would say, just like his his
(12:57):
overall athleticism is something that we found attract at the position.
Speaker 15 (13:02):
Andrew he played as Graham played his first couple of years,
wouldn't mentor and then wing Martindale this past year, Just
how was his adjustment to that scheme and also an
advantage because Martindale has NFL experience in this scheme.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
So I'd say it's probably a little bit more of
an advantage going from Mentor to Martindale because you know,
while they're not the same defenses, the requirements of the
defensive line in terms of being more of a read
and react front, are pretty similar to the characters are
pretty similar. It'll be a little bit more of an
adjustment here because we're not a read and react front.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
We're an attack front.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So the good thing is it's it's it's simpler mentally,
but it usually takes guys maybe a little bit of
time to like.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
Call it like breakold habits in that in that regard.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
But you know, he's he's been coached by by NFL guys,
you know, certainly, so he'll know the standard techniques may
be a little bit different.
Speaker 9 (13:53):
There was a report that you had an offer to
move down from five. Is that true or false?
Speaker 6 (13:58):
That is not true? Not true? Okay, all we're here
for actually.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
Just with Graham's time at Michigan, and he's obviously really
good two years ago when they win a title, but
it seems like people say he was even better in
twenty twenty four, Like I mean, do you see that
number one? And just what about those two years as
a package. Like, what improvement did you see from him
that made him really appealing?
Speaker 6 (14:23):
Yeah, I'll be honest, like he was to your point.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Actually, he was pretty good both years, and the approven
is I guess he was just more dominant, more disruptive.
This is a guy who he affects the run, he
affects the pass, he produces in a variety of ways.
I really can't say enough good things about him. So
we're excited to get him in our scheme, in our
front that that really does, you know, highlight you know,
(14:47):
highlight the defensive tackle position in terms of what we
ask of them, and we're.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
Looking forward to them.
Speaker 16 (14:53):
Hey Andrew Beck here, I know you mentioned that you
and James were talking about this deal for a couple
of weeks. What was Can you take us through what
today look like? Did the offer change at all? What
was the logistics looking like for you?
Speaker 6 (15:03):
I'm sorry I didn't catch the first part of your quest.
Speaker 16 (15:06):
I know you mentioned that you and James Gladstone have
been disgusting this deal for the last couple of weeks.
Can you take us through today on how it evolved
at the offer change? Was there a moment of decision
for you at any point today.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
It's a great question. Honestly, I prefer to keep those
details private.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
You know, that's just kind of how I operate with
with trade discussions with other teams.
Speaker 6 (15:30):
Through the draft process.
Speaker 12 (15:31):
When did you shift to the point where you started
to realize that a trade was possible or you were
going to entertain it, and how many teams did you
end up talking to about it?
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Yeah, Jeremy, we were always pretty open minded to it.
I think.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
You know, oftentimes when people think of a pick, it's
naturally automatically goes to like, okay, well, how do you
maximize it by selecting? But it's a resource, and there
are so many different avenues that you can use the
resource to improve your team. Whether it's what we did tonight,
you know, whether it's I'll use the example, whether it's
we're picking Travis Hunter, whether it's you're selecting a quarterback,
whether it's.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
You use it to trade for a high end veteran.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
And so we really went into the spring pretty open
minded because you know, part of our DNA is we
want to be opportunistic and flexible. We don't want to
necessarily close off, you know, our mind to how we
can best utilize a resource to to you know, to
improve the team. So it was I guess, you know,
we probably went our process probably went a little bit
(16:25):
in parallel as we thought through, as we gain more
information about the players, and we thought through how we
would actually use the pick, and ultimately came down to like, Okay, well,
you know what will we potentially get offered, who's going
to be on the board, what's our assessment of those
of those prospects, and then given those prospects, how big
of an impact can they have on the team in
the long term, you know, relative to what we could
have in a trade package.
Speaker 12 (16:47):
Angel I know you just made the pick, but have
you heard from Miles Garrett at all?
Speaker 6 (16:52):
Did he have any idea this was what happen?
Speaker 17 (16:53):
And then what was Jim Schwartz's reaction to selected Mason Graham.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
I have not heard from Miles, But after I get
up here, I use I'll send him Mason's contact information.
I'm sure he'll be pretty happy, you know, Jim, I'm
sure our camera's gotten everything. He was excited. He you know,
he likes Mason lot. Jock might have even been more excited. So, uh,
we're looking forward to get him down here.
Speaker 18 (17:15):
Wow, than what would your message be to Brown's fans after,
you know, trading the pick? It seemed like there was
a generational talent there in Travis Hunter. What would your
message be to them after making the trade and overall
ended up taking Mason Graham?
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Yeah, I don't know the message would be too much
different than what I talked about, you know in my
opening comments.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
You know, look, we're always going to make the decisions.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
That we think can can maximize the team or give
us the give us the opportunity to maximize the team.
And you know, we're really excited for what we view
as an elite trench prospect in Mason Graham and in
addition to that, to get you know, another top forty
pick this year and a future one. You know, we
(18:01):
we think that that's something that's really going to help
improve our franchise.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Up next to head coach Kevin Stefanski, who expressed his
excitement to have a player in the trenches like Mason Graham.
Speaker 17 (18:13):
Yeah, obviously, Mary Kay, that's a you know, a big
trade for this organization and what we're able to get
back and the picks that you're able to get back
and you know, it can set you up and we
still get a really really good player that we all
are excited about adding to our team on top of that.
So it's it's it's something that's it's exciting for us. Obviously,
(18:35):
you know, until it's done, it's not done. So got
on the clock there and consummated the trade, but excited
to add Mason to this team and excited to add
some picks as well.
Speaker 12 (18:50):
Play.
Speaker 17 (18:52):
Yeah, I think when you look at the top of
these drafts, there's a lot of players that we like.
You know, it's you like all of them. So I understand, Uh,
you know you pick fifth and and you're fifth in order,
but uh, we're we're thrilled with uh Mason Graham, thrilled there.
Speaker 19 (19:10):
Last weekend points or last year and so you could
have some explosive guys on offense.
Speaker 9 (19:17):
To that day.
Speaker 20 (19:19):
What are you gonna do to be more above roup?
Speaker 17 (19:24):
Yeah, we're uh, we're working on that right now, just
as we get our veterans back in here, Jeff and
we're starting down, uh the path of putting the system
together and and Tommy's doing a great job with the coaches.
We'll add some players throughout this draft potentially, So, Uh,
we're excited about the group that we'll be able to
put together.
Speaker 19 (19:41):
So do you think with the players at you But
is that in its south gone to make.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
You guys.
Speaker 17 (19:53):
W what is that one more time with chef? Yes, yeah,
I mean that's the the goals to improve certainly, and
and we a lot of work to do and and
you know, room to improve. But I'm very, very confident
in the group we have. Yeah, he's a perfect fit
really just the way his skill set, the way he
(20:17):
gets off the ball, the way he's able to disrupt
is exactly what we do now. He did that sometimes,
maybe not all the time. There is some two gapping
in Michigan system, but you saw plenty of times where
where when he goes, he goes and uh, just great balance,
great ability to be disruptive, make plays in the run game,
in the past game. Uh, those interior rushers are are
(20:41):
really valuable in the scheme.
Speaker 14 (20:44):
There.
Speaker 17 (20:52):
It happens all the time. You get, happens in free agency,
it happens in the draft. I mean, Wink does a
great job. I have a ton of respect for coach
and what he does there. So it's not like it's
a completely foreign thing than what they do. They do
a little bit of both, I would say, but there's
been countless examples of guys in free agency. There are
(21:13):
five year veterans that come into an attack scheme from
a two gapping scheme. So you work at it like
anything else, and it'd be the same really if you
went vice versa, you.
Speaker 6 (21:26):
Not just Travis, but Abdul.
Speaker 8 (21:30):
Fans look at we'll look at that as you know,
giving up the opportunity to add to one, at least
one blue chip type of talent that can be transformational.
When you watch Mason on tape, I know Andrews said
he fits your defensive DNA with what Jim Schwartz asked for.
You're playing against guys like Lamar and Joe Burrow twice
(21:52):
a year when you watch them on tape. What is
it that you see in him that kind of gives
you that same feeling and he can have of the
same transformational impact for you.
Speaker 17 (22:02):
Yeah, I think there's a the fit piece of this, Darryl,
in terms of the skill set in our scheme, but
also the production is there. This is not a guy
that's been doing it for one game or one season. Uh,
He's been doing it for a long time and been
productive in his career. So I think what you see
(22:25):
from this player has been consistent. Uh And he is
a guy that is constantly disrupting the offense. Uh And
and you know obviously the run game and able to
defeat blocks and make plays down the line using his
speed for such a big man, and then in the
past game being disruptive beating guards. I mean, obviously we've
(22:48):
talked a lot about it with Miles on our team.
There's you know, there's opportunities to rush on guards when
you're defensive tackle with the center potentially going away. It's
it's a it's a true one on one and it's
the nearest point to the quarterback. And just feel really
strong about his skill set, feel really strong about the person.
I just think he fits fits who we are.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
With Mason Kevin. It just seems like everyone always brings
up the wrestling background and the leverage and things like that,
Like how much does that just pop on his film
and how unique does that make him the scheme of
this D line class.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
Yeah, as coaches, you love when.
Speaker 17 (23:26):
Guys near the ball have that background because you're so
often having to work through contact and stay balanced. So
I do think there's a very advantageous part of being
on that wrestling mat and then taking into the football
field because you know how to lean, you know how
to get on one leg and transfer power to the other.
(23:48):
So I think that's a really big part of it
and something he's used. You can see it on tape
him using that background.
Speaker 10 (23:56):
Hey, Kevin, with you guys, not having a first round
pick in the last three years make it all more
appealing to pick up another one in this deal.
Speaker 17 (24:03):
Yeah, I think it's a strong deal. You know, we
felt good about the deal from a compensation, what's what's
going on, what's going out, that type of thing. Feel
like it's good for both teams. But but you know,
obviously those those picks, certainly the pick next year. You know,
having multiple first round picks is a big deal.
Speaker 6 (24:22):
And and then with.
Speaker 10 (24:25):
Then with Mason, what kind of predraft interactions did you
have personally with him and was there anything memorable about
any of it?
Speaker 17 (24:33):
Met with him at the combine, uh in that in
the quick speed dating portion of the combine, brought him
in here for a Top thirty Visit really like like
everything about him, you know, just what he brings to
the building. Uh, he's got a nastiness to him. He
can to play defensive defensive line, particularly in our front.
(24:55):
You got to have a little bit of an edge,
and he's got a big edge. And I just like
what he brings to this football team. I think, you know,
I've talked a lot about the scheme fit, but I
also think just his competitive nature, his toughness.
Speaker 6 (25:08):
I think that's a big part of this as well.
Speaker 15 (25:11):
Kevin, you talked about players coming from a two gap
to an attack scheme. Is it better for a young
player getting them younger to come into that maybe?
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Probably?
Speaker 17 (25:22):
I think coach Schwartz could definitely speak to this. He's
had a lot of guys in his past that just
like you said, we're in the league for five years
and then he got to them and worked hard and
in that scheme, and it's it's no secret how you
just have to get on the grass and work at it.
(25:44):
So there's plenty of glimpses on tape with Mason though
that show you very clearly that he's has the ability
to play a tax scheme.
Speaker 7 (25:55):
Mentioning the importance of the player too, you talked about
Mason's competitiveness, But what else about him as the person
made him such a fit because that was so important
to you guys in the selection.
Speaker 17 (26:05):
Yeah, I think Cam, you do so much work on
these guys. You find out damn near everything about them,
and you talk to their high school coaches and their
position coaches, and you just get a really well rounded
picture of the person, how they've been raised, uh, what
their work ethic is like. And then you get to
spend time with him. You get to get a feel
(26:26):
for for the person, and I just know that his
makeup fits our culture.
Speaker 6 (26:36):
Yes, you you're tony.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Guy who.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
More so than others.
Speaker 17 (26:53):
I don't remember JD's saying that I do. I mean, listen,
you could talk yourself into as many good players and
put them all over the formation as you can. I
can definitely speak to an offensive coaches perspective. It is
difficult when you have an outside guy and an inside guy.
There are times that you're gonna want them on the
same side. There are plenty of times you're gonna want
(27:14):
them opposite each other for obvious reasons. You know, Miles,
We've talked about this at nauseam. He gets a lot
of attention and it comes in the form of chips.
It comes in the form of slides that opens up
one on ones for other players, whether it's an outside
player or an inside player. Now, as we've all seen,
plenty of teams put two tight ends on both sides
(27:35):
and can chip both sides. So there's certainly ways to
try to slow down interior players. I think you see
more often with the chip help that people give and
certainly devote to miles and outside players, the interior players
can get that quicker win puts them in the lap
(27:56):
of the quarterback. Just interior players in the attack scheme.
Speaker 6 (28:14):
Man.
Speaker 17 (28:14):
I wish Coach Schwartz was up here for a history lesson.
You know, he he's had some great ones. We're just
up there talking about his bills defensive line, you know,
with I guess it was Mario Williams, Hughes, Marcel Darius,
Kyle Williams inside. I mean, those were four guys that
could win by themselves, but they had they really had
(28:35):
an outside and inside presence. But this scheme and how
Coach Schwartz coaches it, and what we demand of our
guys up front is really to be the engine, of course,
but also to mess things up mess stuff up. Other
words are sometimes used, and that's what this defensive line
is charged to do. And I think that's why when
(28:57):
you watch Mason's tape, you see so many examples of
that where it's very easy to translate that player into
our sky.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Finally, here's the man himself, Mason Graham.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
Hi, Mason, just wondering have you thought about pairing with
Miles Garrett and what that might be like for you?
Speaker 20 (29:17):
No, yeah, I've definitely thought about that. And he's, you know,
one of the best players in the league and he's
been really dominant, so you know, nothing but grateful to
play next to him and build up Cleveland.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
Hey, Mason, just curious how much you know about Jim
Schwartz already and just that his defense, he loves to
let interior guys get after the quarterback.
Speaker 6 (29:38):
Just how appealing the thought of that is for you.
Speaker 20 (29:41):
Yeah, for sure, Even on my thirty visit, you know,
he's telling me, I riding with the scheme, you know, attacking,
being disrupted on the front and then playing alongside other
great players is only gonna make this defense better.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
Mason. Congratulations. Andrew Berry has talked about before the pick
was even in that whoever they selected would have to
be a good fit for the organization and someone that
would fit in in Cleveland. So for what you know
about this organization and really northeast Ohio, if you know
anything about it, what makes you a good fit for
this organization?
Speaker 20 (30:13):
Yeah, I've been really close in Michigan the past few years.
So uh yeah, Cleveland, I think I'll just come in
and sit right in. You know, I feel like this
defense and just this culture that the team has. You know,
even on my thirty visit, I can tell that, you know,
everyone's about business and you know, wants to get back
on top.
Speaker 18 (30:28):
Hey Mason, when did you know that the Browns are
going to be a possibility? And were you shocked at
all when you got drafted there?
Speaker 20 (30:35):
Uh? I kind of heard some stuff, you know, But
on my thirty visit, I had a really good conversation
with coach to Fansky, Coach Schwartz, and coach Jocks, So
you know, I was really confident about you know, I
didn't know how it was on to play out, but
you know, unfortunately, you know, they traded back a few
picks and I was able, you know, they're able to
pick me up and you know, I'm nothing but grateful.
Speaker 6 (30:55):
I was going to ask you about that visit.
Speaker 19 (30:57):
What stood out to you most about your conversation with
Jim Schwartz.
Speaker 20 (31:03):
Yeah, I mean we had multiple conversations, but you know,
just him seeing, you know, how I could play in
the defense and you know, all of his experience that
he's had previously. He thinks I can fit right in,
you know, and I believe, you know, I'm a great
friend fit for the Cleveland Browns and this defense.
Speaker 14 (31:19):
It Mason Andrew Berry was talking about, you know, your
background and wrestling uh in high school and just how
it's how much important is as a defensive tackle. Can
you kind of expound on that a little bit and
how much you feel like it's benefited you and and
and you know technique and everything like that.
Speaker 20 (31:37):
Yeah, I feel like it's benefited me a lot. I
feel like wrestling teaches you just you know, mental and
physical toughness as well, you know, along with you know
the stuff that comes with being a d lineman. You know,
feeling leverage, feeling body weight. I mean, you know, you're
wrestling another big guy, and that's what you know, basically
is what offense and defensive line do all games, so
I feel like it really translates.
Speaker 12 (31:57):
Hey, Mason, I heard you call yourself a fierce competitor
right after you've been picked. Why is that so important
to you? And how else would you describe yourself as
a player.
Speaker 20 (32:06):
I mean, yeah, I called myself that because you know,
my main goal is to come in and win. You know,
I want to make this organization better. And you know,
me coming in here and playing along the front, I
feel like, you know, its only going to make the
team better.
Speaker 14 (32:20):
Mason, you played for a former NFL defensive coordinator in
in UH, coach Martindale. How much did uh? How much
do you feel like that will prepare you for what
you're you're gonna see, you know, coming into the league.
Speaker 20 (32:32):
Yeah, I mean just you know, gaining knowledge from him
this past year. You know, he's been in the league
for a while now, and then grateful to come to Michigan.
Know he the first thing that happened, he was, you know,
giving me the you know tips for the next level
because he knew, you know, I was gonna be at
this ultimate level come this time. So he was just
kind of preparing me and you know, giving me to
cern tips and stuff to uh you know, start fast
(32:54):
and you know, help the organization.
Speaker 8 (32:57):
Hey, Mason, how much are you looking forward to chasing
Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow?
Speaker 20 (33:03):
Well, I mean, Cleveland take me for a reason, so
obviously want me to take those guys down. So half
my main agenda, Mason.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
A lot of the guys that come through here say
they're going to attach themselves to the hip of Miles
Garrett so that they can learn so much from him.
Is that one of the things that you aim to do?
And what do you hope to learn from him? From
a pass rush standpoint?
Speaker 20 (33:24):
Yeah, I mean he's just a great overall player that
you can learn a lot from. You know, seems like
a good person. Haven't met him, but you know, I'm
sure I'll meet him pretty surely. But yeah, just gaining
knowledge from him. You know, he's he's one of the best,
so if not the best, So he just grateful to
you know, learn from him. And you know, I've been
blessed with a good vet.
Speaker 7 (33:44):
Mason. As you get into this organization and get acclimated
and start meeting people, I think people will start to
get to know you. But right now, what's the first
thing that Browns fans should know about you as a
player and a person.
Speaker 20 (33:57):
I feel like player first of all, the domine coming
in dominy, you know, make this team better fit right
in and the dog pound, and you know coach Schwartz,
you know, really relies on his front. So you know
that's what I'm gonna do. And you know he calls
at the engine and I'm gonna be just that for
you know, this team. And uh, talking about player, just
kind of what kind of person I am. I'm a
team guy, teen guy. I want to win at all
(34:19):
costs and I want to get Cleveland back on top.
Speaker 5 (34:23):
Hey, Mason, these guys took my call from Ohio State
obviously last year with their first pick in that draft,
So I'm sure there's some familiarity there that you have
with him. So, uh, just what do you think it'll
be like to play with you know, former rival here?
Speaker 6 (34:36):
Now?
Speaker 20 (34:37):
Yeah, I mean I've seen I've seen a lot of
his stuff the past three years, especially playing them. I
feel like he's a really good player. He moves really well.
So I feel like, you know, we can both you know,
work really well on the front and you know, get
into this attack you know, defense and cause some disruption.
Speaker 12 (34:55):
Ye are you close with Zach Zenter And if so,
will you get him on the phone real quick to
find out what Cleveland and the Browns are all about.
Speaker 20 (35:03):
Yeah, I'm close with him. I just you know, when
I was on my visit, I've seen him around working out,
so it was cool to see him. Yeah, he texted
me earlier. I've seen it pop up. I've got a
lot of messages, but you know, I've seen his and
he says, just welcome to Cleveland. It's worked.
Speaker 10 (35:20):
Hey, Mason, congratulations. Obviously it's nothing you can control. But
when the Browns trade down from number two and you
know they bypassed Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter, who are
you know, obviously very highly touted guys, is that something
that can motivate you to show you can make an
impact like like they may be able to. Is that
(35:42):
something that you can kind of look forward to lighting
a fire?
Speaker 20 (35:47):
Yeah? For sure. You know, you know, they traded it
back for a reason. They wanted to pick me, and
then you know, I feel like I'm just grateful for
the opportunity and I'm gonna come in and you know,
do whatever it takes. And yeah, blessed to be a
part of the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
That'll do for this episode of the From the Podium Podcast.
Be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever
you get your podcast, keep it locked to Cleveland Browns
daily each weekday, and follow the Browns on social media
for more coverage from the cross Country Mortgage Campus right
here in Borea. I'm Gabe Kollura. Thanks for listening to
the From the Podium Podcast.
Welcome to a special twenty twenty five NFL Draft edition
of the From the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Colera. It's official.
The Browns have selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with
the number five overall pick. On this episode, you'll hear
from general manager Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and
the newest Brown Mason Graham. We'll start with general manager
Andrew Berry, who discussed his process to trade down to
(00:27):
the fifth pick and select Mason Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
All right, all right, I really excited to use the
fifth overall pick on Mason Graham. He is a DNA
match for our defense, you know, disruptive, you know, interior penetrator.
I think he can really affect you know, the pocket
from from inside. A high motor player, really physical, really tough.
(00:53):
You know, we thought he was one of the more
dominant trench prospects in this year's class. Now, I'll dress obviously,
the trade we just felt like was a fantastic opportunity
for our organization to move down three spots, you know,
still get a you know, a top notch prospect in
the trenches, adding a pick, you know, and what we
view as really the sweet spot for this year's draft class,
(01:14):
and then adding a first round pick next year, you know,
in a class that you know, quite frankly, we think
will be a bit stronger in the first you know,
the first thirty picks. So we just felt like, over
both in the short term and over a multi year
time horizon, it was a it was a fit, you know,
for what we wanted to do with the team and
(01:35):
what we wanted to do with the roster. And you know,
we're excited to add Mason, We're excited to add the
extra draft resources both this year and next, and with
that all opening up for questions, I wouldn't say that
we necessarily targeted an individual player, Tony. There are a
number of players that we liked at the top of
(01:55):
the draft, and we spent a lot of time with
with each of them. Mason would be among that group.
You know, we think he's he's he's one of the
premier you know linemen in this draft on either side
of the ball, and we were excited to have the
opportunity to select him. So, you know, I think that
(02:16):
for any trade, it depends on how far back you're going,
you know, realistically, you know, for this one that like
that was a huge, huge part. It was, uh, you know,
it would have been a non starter for anyone without
getting a future one to you know, to move back,
you know, because these picks, these resources are so are
so valuable.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Andrew, when you look at it the way this played
out to end up with not only five, but thirty
three and thirty six so close together this year and
then those first rounders next year back to back, can
this be transformational for your football team over these two seasons.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yeah, I think we certainly hope that's the case, Mary kay,
you know, but we also have to make good on
the players that we do select, and that's not just
a selection or the acquisition process, but that's development process
as well. But you know, we're excited about because you know,
we look at it as you know, as we sit
here today, we'll have you know, five picks in the
top one hundred three of those in the top thirty six,
(03:10):
and then really over a two year time span, you know,
we'll have five top thirty six picks and probably six
top fifty picks. So that's you know, quite an opportunity
for us, you know, to add young players to the
roster or to use those resources, whether it's for veteran
player or generate other resources over the next twenty four months.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Andrew, is there any because.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
Such?
Speaker 6 (03:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
So, you know, Jeff, you know, we've we've always long
believed that, you know, we want to be elite in
the trenches. You know, with the big guys. They go early,
and they're they're hard to acquire and they're hard to find.
There are a lot of great players that we liked
at the top of the draft, and you know, I
kind of joked with our internal crew, especially as we
got to meet the prospects and their families, that you know,
I wish I had multiple top five picks because they're
(03:59):
not only players, but they're they're great people, and Ashton
would certainly be among them.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Andrew, you, I mean, you really discussed about Travis last week.
I mean, you know, carn Otani, you know all that stuff.
Is there any concern that, like, you just traded a
chance to get a great player that is very unique,
you know, tell you do get these other picks, you.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Know, Terry, I think that you know, we obviously had
strong affinity for Travis, you know, no different than we
had strong affinity for a number of players at the top.
I think the thing for us are there are a
lot of good players in every in every class. And
you know, as much as we liked you know, Travis
or Abdul or you know, Ashton, Jeff like you know,
whoever that may be, you know, the opportunity is still
(04:42):
to get a premiere prospect and add significantly to our resources,
which gives us added flexibility to build the team. You know,
we felt like it was an opportunity to.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
I mean this, you also do this as a chance
you're still recouping picks from the last few years that
you gave away.
Speaker 6 (04:59):
Yeah, I wouldn't. I wouldn't really tie to that.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
This is really more of an independent decision to move
back three spots and to get you know, pick number
thirty six in this draft in a future one while
also getting a top player in the trenches. We thought
that was you know, just an excellent outcome for us
in terms of using the resource of the number two pick.
Speaker 6 (05:20):
Am I supposed to follow the mic? Okay, okay, I
got it.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
I guess Andrew is kind of going off of Terry's question.
But you talk about the chance to add more like
high talented prospects Like, what do you say then to
people that are like, oh, well, they've passed up on
you know, such guys who could be transformational this year
to bet on next year.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
Sort of.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, you know, actually, I think that there's probably more
than you know, one or two top prospects in the draft,
and and by nature, even if you select someone at too,
you're gonna pass on a good play.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
Like by by definition, you're going to pass on a
good player. There's more than one good player in every draft.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And for us to be able to add you know,
multiple premier prospects over a longer time horizon, we think
that will allow us to build a stronger team.
Speaker 7 (06:11):
Kevin recently told me that he saw value and a
lot of guys in the later rounds of the draft.
Speaker 8 (06:16):
Two.
Speaker 7 (06:16):
Where do you now sit with that, and who's left
for you guys, especially on the offensive side of the
ball that you guys might take this year.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, So I think, you know, we really view the
sweet spot of this draft, you know, realistically is is
in day two, we think there's a there's a strong
pool of players, you know, and it flats outs maybe
a little bit more quickly than in some previous drafts,
But Look, I think they're gonna be good players up.
Speaker 6 (06:44):
And down the board.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
And as we sit here today, we have four picks
on on Friday, and we'll be excited about that and
you know, we'll see how the first round unfolds and
what's available to us as we head into tomorrow.
Speaker 9 (06:55):
Andrew, do you and Jim Schwartz believe that Mason Graham
is a better compliment to Miles Garrett than Abdul Carter?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
I wouldn't necessarily, I mean, look, would love to have
both of them, Tony, just to be just to be candid,
you know, we the reason we like Mason is because
he has the ability to to to be an excellent
pass rusher from the interior, and that's really really hard
to get find. It's a premium skill set now in
the NFL. Those guys they make a lot of money
(07:25):
and they very rarely become available. You know, in terms
of Abdul, you know whether where the pass rush comes
from the edge.
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Or the interior, preferably both.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Uh, it doesn't matter to us, but we'll always take
pass rushers.
Speaker 10 (07:39):
Andrew, when you talked about the DNA fit, can you
go a little bit more into that, what specific position
will he play and also just how do you see
him fit in when when Mike Hall was also your
first pick last year and so it seems like he
got a lot at one spot.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
So, so to answer your first question, Nate, you know,
when we say d m a fit, we want players
what we call attack players, So guys who can use movement, quickness,
power to really re establish the line of scrimmage, you know,
get upfield and ultimately rush rush the passer the d line.
They're the engine of our defense and their job is
(08:18):
really just to mess things up at the line of scrimmage,
just to attack and disrupt. And and that's a perfect
fit for both Mason's you know, physical skill set as
well as his competitive competitive personality.
Speaker 6 (08:32):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
In terms of like positionally, like we don't in an
ideal world, we're not really distinguishing our defensive tackles in
our system, like sometimes we'll play with left and right.
I know some teams will say, hey, nose tackle or
three tech. We really just want very similar defensive tackles.
We feel like the best way to get mismatches in
the NFL is to have you know, interior pass rushing
(08:54):
defensive linemen because there's just a lot harder to protect
against slide to than your edge guys, and so we're like,
part of the reason we're so excited is is, you know,
to have Mike and Mason, two guys that we think
will legitimately affect the quarterback and if they get singled
up because Miles is commanding those lives, they can really
(09:15):
make offenses pay. And then the last thing I'd say is,
you know, we really want to be six to eight
deep across the defensive line because we play our guys
like they're like hockey lines, right, like you know they
so we really shuffle them in and out because we
demand so much of them running to the ball, getting
off the ball that you can't play with that intensity
(09:36):
for ninety percent of the snaps for the game.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Andrew with this quarterback class not necessarily being the strongest
one in recent memory, and next year is supposed to
be stronger. Now that you've got two first round picks,
are you guys poised to potentially be in a really
good position to get that spot next year?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah, I think that's a possibility, Mary kay. But I
also say that we're pretty early in the weekend, so
I don't know how the rest of the draft is.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Going to unfold there.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
There's there's talent across positions, including uh, the quarterback position,
and we just really have to see kind of how
our next I'm trying to remember how many picks we have, Peter,
but next seven or eight picks, whatever it is, unfold
throughout the weekend.
Speaker 11 (10:17):
Andrew, along those lines, how you said you guys watched
quarterback classes two years at a time. How much of
this trade has something to do with what you saw
in that.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
I'd say it's it's maybe tangentially related, but it even
with that quite frankly, you know, unless unless we were
going to take a quarterback there, it's it's a trade
we probably would have done regardless.
Speaker 12 (10:42):
Andrew, would you say the goal going into today was
to trade out at number two?
Speaker 2 (10:47):
First of all, Uh, I don't know that that was
the goal, as I put it more broadly as using
number two to make the maximum impact on the team.
Speaker 12 (10:55):
And can you say if Hunter would have been the
pick at number.
Speaker 6 (10:58):
Two, that's gonna have to go to my grave.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, so I'd say this, you know, James and I
you know, we discussed this for probably the better part
of two weeks. Obviously we didn't you know, formalize it,
finalized it until we were on the clock tonight. Actually,
you know, it's obviously the first deal I've I've done
with James, but I respect him a lot because he's
he was great to work with and not often do
(11:28):
you work on a big deal and it doesn't like
necessarily lea immediately. So like knowing that he's actually a
you know, a pretty good a pretty good trade partner,
he deserves a ton of credit for you know, being
a partner and bringing this to fruition.
Speaker 13 (11:41):
And you're obviously a lot of stuffs to play out tonight.
But given some of the capity you added, do you
feel there's you know, there there's still some advantageous opportunities
to potentially move back into the first round before the
night's over.
Speaker 6 (11:52):
Would never say never.
Speaker 14 (11:57):
Uh, Graham played like five different sports, lots of lots
of sports in high school. But how much a player
like that, I mean, when you're looking into the background
and digging into these guys that you know, versatility in
terms of sports they play, how much does that play
into the exactly?
Speaker 6 (12:14):
Yeah, that's a great question, Chris.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
It's something that we we actually track like we we
we actually have a specific area in our scouting reports
where we ask our area guys to document that. And
and candidly, a lot of these players, you know, whether
you're skilled player alignment or like even specialists, Like a
lot of them were top athletes across sports and you know,
in in high school growing up. I think the most
impressive thing with Mason that we really liked was just
(12:37):
his wrestling background. And you can see that in his
play in terms of how he uses leverage, in terms
of how he uses his hands, you know, his grip
strength and and you know, we we do feel like
that there's a there's always a pretty good track record
of these guys who are high end wrestlers, the big
guys who are high end wrestlers, and and how that translates.
But you know, I would say, just like his his
(12:57):
overall athleticism is something that we found attract at the position.
Speaker 15 (13:02):
Andrew he played as Graham played his first couple of years,
wouldn't mentor and then wing Martindale this past year, Just
how was his adjustment to that scheme and also an
advantage because Martindale has NFL experience in this scheme.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
So I'd say it's probably a little bit more of
an advantage going from Mentor to Martindale because you know,
while they're not the same defenses, the requirements of the
defensive line in terms of being more of a read
and react front, are pretty similar to the characters are
pretty similar. It'll be a little bit more of an
adjustment here because we're not a read and react front.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
We're an attack front.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So the good thing is it's it's it's simpler mentally,
but it usually takes guys maybe a little bit of
time to like.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
Call it like breakold habits in that in that regard.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
But you know, he's he's been coached by by NFL guys,
you know, certainly, so he'll know the standard techniques may
be a little bit different.
Speaker 9 (13:53):
There was a report that you had an offer to
move down from five. Is that true or false?
Speaker 6 (13:58):
That is not true? Not true? Okay, all we're here
for actually.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
Just with Graham's time at Michigan, and he's obviously really
good two years ago when they win a title, but
it seems like people say he was even better in
twenty twenty four, Like I mean, do you see that
number one? And just what about those two years as
a package. Like, what improvement did you see from him
that made him really appealing?
Speaker 6 (14:23):
Yeah, I'll be honest, like he was to your point.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Actually, he was pretty good both years, and the approven
is I guess he was just more dominant, more disruptive.
This is a guy who he affects the run, he
affects the pass, he produces in a variety of ways.
I really can't say enough good things about him. So
we're excited to get him in our scheme, in our
front that that really does, you know, highlight you know,
(14:47):
highlight the defensive tackle position in terms of what we
ask of them, and we're.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
Looking forward to them.
Speaker 16 (14:53):
Hey Andrew Beck here, I know you mentioned that you
and James were talking about this deal for a couple
of weeks. What was Can you take us through what
today look like? Did the offer change at all? What
was the logistics looking like for you?
Speaker 6 (15:03):
I'm sorry I didn't catch the first part of your quest.
Speaker 16 (15:06):
I know you mentioned that you and James Gladstone have
been disgusting this deal for the last couple of weeks.
Can you take us through today on how it evolved
at the offer change? Was there a moment of decision
for you at any point today.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
It's a great question. Honestly, I prefer to keep those
details private.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
You know, that's just kind of how I operate with
with trade discussions with other teams.
Speaker 6 (15:30):
Through the draft process.
Speaker 12 (15:31):
When did you shift to the point where you started
to realize that a trade was possible or you were
going to entertain it, and how many teams did you
end up talking to about it?
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Yeah, Jeremy, we were always pretty open minded to it.
I think.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
You know, oftentimes when people think of a pick, it's
naturally automatically goes to like, okay, well, how do you
maximize it by selecting? But it's a resource, and there
are so many different avenues that you can use the
resource to improve your team. Whether it's what we did tonight,
you know, whether it's I'll use the example, whether it's
we're picking Travis Hunter, whether it's you're selecting a quarterback,
whether it's.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
You use it to trade for a high end veteran.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
And so we really went into the spring pretty open
minded because you know, part of our DNA is we
want to be opportunistic and flexible. We don't want to
necessarily close off, you know, our mind to how we
can best utilize a resource to to you know, to
improve the team. So it was I guess, you know,
we probably went our process probably went a little bit
(16:25):
in parallel as we thought through, as we gain more
information about the players, and we thought through how we
would actually use the pick, and ultimately came down to like, Okay, well,
you know what will we potentially get offered, who's going
to be on the board, what's our assessment of those
of those prospects, and then given those prospects, how big
of an impact can they have on the team in
the long term, you know, relative to what we could
have in a trade package.
Speaker 12 (16:47):
Angel I know you just made the pick, but have
you heard from Miles Garrett at all?
Speaker 6 (16:52):
Did he have any idea this was what happen?
Speaker 17 (16:53):
And then what was Jim Schwartz's reaction to selected Mason Graham.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
I have not heard from Miles, But after I get
up here, I use I'll send him Mason's contact information.
I'm sure he'll be pretty happy, you know, Jim, I'm
sure our camera's gotten everything. He was excited. He you know,
he likes Mason lot. Jock might have even been more excited. So, uh,
we're looking forward to get him down here.
Speaker 18 (17:15):
Wow, than what would your message be to Brown's fans after,
you know, trading the pick? It seemed like there was
a generational talent there in Travis Hunter. What would your
message be to them after making the trade and overall
ended up taking Mason Graham?
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Yeah, I don't know the message would be too much
different than what I talked about, you know in my
opening comments.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
You know, look, we're always going to make the decisions.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
That we think can can maximize the team or give
us the give us the opportunity to maximize the team.
And you know, we're really excited for what we view
as an elite trench prospect in Mason Graham and in
addition to that, to get you know, another top forty
pick this year and a future one. You know, we
(18:01):
we think that that's something that's really going to help
improve our franchise.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Up next to head coach Kevin Stefanski, who expressed his
excitement to have a player in the trenches like Mason Graham.
Speaker 17 (18:13):
Yeah, obviously, Mary Kay, that's a you know, a big
trade for this organization and what we're able to get
back and the picks that you're able to get back
and you know, it can set you up and we
still get a really really good player that we all
are excited about adding to our team on top of that.
So it's it's it's something that's it's exciting for us. Obviously,
(18:35):
you know, until it's done, it's not done. So got
on the clock there and consummated the trade, but excited
to add Mason to this team and excited to add
some picks as well.
Speaker 12 (18:50):
Play.
Speaker 17 (18:52):
Yeah, I think when you look at the top of
these drafts, there's a lot of players that we like.
You know, it's you like all of them. So I understand, Uh,
you know you pick fifth and and you're fifth in order,
but uh, we're we're thrilled with uh Mason Graham, thrilled there.
Speaker 19 (19:10):
Last weekend points or last year and so you could
have some explosive guys on offense.
Speaker 9 (19:17):
To that day.
Speaker 20 (19:19):
What are you gonna do to be more above roup?
Speaker 17 (19:24):
Yeah, we're uh, we're working on that right now, just
as we get our veterans back in here, Jeff and
we're starting down, uh the path of putting the system
together and and Tommy's doing a great job with the coaches.
We'll add some players throughout this draft potentially, So, Uh,
we're excited about the group that we'll be able to
put together.
Speaker 19 (19:41):
So do you think with the players at you But
is that in its south gone to make.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
You guys.
Speaker 17 (19:53):
W what is that one more time with chef? Yes, yeah,
I mean that's the the goals to improve certainly, and
and we a lot of work to do and and
you know, room to improve. But I'm very, very confident
in the group we have. Yeah, he's a perfect fit
really just the way his skill set, the way he
(20:17):
gets off the ball, the way he's able to disrupt
is exactly what we do now. He did that sometimes,
maybe not all the time. There is some two gapping
in Michigan system, but you saw plenty of times where
where when he goes, he goes and uh, just great balance,
great ability to be disruptive, make plays in the run game,
in the past game. Uh, those interior rushers are are
(20:41):
really valuable in the scheme.
Speaker 14 (20:44):
There.
Speaker 17 (20:52):
It happens all the time. You get, happens in free agency,
it happens in the draft. I mean, Wink does a
great job. I have a ton of respect for coach
and what he does there. So it's not like it's
a completely foreign thing than what they do. They do
a little bit of both, I would say, but there's
been countless examples of guys in free agency. There are
(21:13):
five year veterans that come into an attack scheme from
a two gapping scheme. So you work at it like
anything else, and it'd be the same really if you
went vice versa, you.
Speaker 6 (21:26):
Not just Travis, but Abdul.
Speaker 8 (21:30):
Fans look at we'll look at that as you know,
giving up the opportunity to add to one, at least
one blue chip type of talent that can be transformational.
When you watch Mason on tape, I know Andrews said
he fits your defensive DNA with what Jim Schwartz asked for.
You're playing against guys like Lamar and Joe Burrow twice
(21:52):
a year when you watch them on tape. What is
it that you see in him that kind of gives
you that same feeling and he can have of the
same transformational impact for you.
Speaker 17 (22:02):
Yeah, I think there's a the fit piece of this, Darryl,
in terms of the skill set in our scheme, but
also the production is there. This is not a guy
that's been doing it for one game or one season. Uh,
He's been doing it for a long time and been
productive in his career. So I think what you see
(22:25):
from this player has been consistent. Uh And he is
a guy that is constantly disrupting the offense. Uh And
and you know obviously the run game and able to
defeat blocks and make plays down the line using his
speed for such a big man, and then in the
past game being disruptive beating guards. I mean, obviously we've
(22:48):
talked a lot about it with Miles on our team.
There's you know, there's opportunities to rush on guards when
you're defensive tackle with the center potentially going away. It's
it's a it's a true one on one and it's
the nearest point to the quarterback. And just feel really
strong about his skill set, feel really strong about the person.
I just think he fits fits who we are.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
With Mason Kevin. It just seems like everyone always brings
up the wrestling background and the leverage and things like that,
Like how much does that just pop on his film
and how unique does that make him the scheme of
this D line class.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
Yeah, as coaches, you love when.
Speaker 17 (23:26):
Guys near the ball have that background because you're so
often having to work through contact and stay balanced. So
I do think there's a very advantageous part of being
on that wrestling mat and then taking into the football
field because you know how to lean, you know how
to get on one leg and transfer power to the other.
(23:48):
So I think that's a really big part of it
and something he's used. You can see it on tape
him using that background.
Speaker 10 (23:56):
Hey, Kevin, with you guys, not having a first round
pick in the last three years make it all more
appealing to pick up another one in this deal.
Speaker 17 (24:03):
Yeah, I think it's a strong deal. You know, we
felt good about the deal from a compensation, what's what's
going on, what's going out, that type of thing. Feel
like it's good for both teams. But but you know,
obviously those those picks, certainly the pick next year. You know,
having multiple first round picks is a big deal.
Speaker 6 (24:22):
And and then with.
Speaker 10 (24:25):
Then with Mason, what kind of predraft interactions did you
have personally with him and was there anything memorable about
any of it?
Speaker 17 (24:33):
Met with him at the combine, uh in that in
the quick speed dating portion of the combine, brought him
in here for a Top thirty Visit really like like
everything about him, you know, just what he brings to
the building. Uh, he's got a nastiness to him. He
can to play defensive defensive line, particularly in our front.
(24:55):
You got to have a little bit of an edge,
and he's got a big edge. And I just like
what he brings to this football team. I think, you know,
I've talked a lot about the scheme fit, but I
also think just his competitive nature, his toughness.
Speaker 6 (25:08):
I think that's a big part of this as well.
Speaker 15 (25:11):
Kevin, you talked about players coming from a two gap
to an attack scheme. Is it better for a young
player getting them younger to come into that maybe?
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Probably?
Speaker 17 (25:22):
I think coach Schwartz could definitely speak to this. He's
had a lot of guys in his past that just
like you said, we're in the league for five years
and then he got to them and worked hard and
in that scheme, and it's it's no secret how you
just have to get on the grass and work at it.
(25:44):
So there's plenty of glimpses on tape with Mason though
that show you very clearly that he's has the ability
to play a tax scheme.
Speaker 7 (25:55):
Mentioning the importance of the player too, you talked about
Mason's competitiveness, But what else about him as the person
made him such a fit because that was so important
to you guys in the selection.
Speaker 17 (26:05):
Yeah, I think Cam, you do so much work on
these guys. You find out damn near everything about them,
and you talk to their high school coaches and their
position coaches, and you just get a really well rounded
picture of the person, how they've been raised, uh, what
their work ethic is like. And then you get to
spend time with him. You get to get a feel
(26:26):
for for the person, and I just know that his
makeup fits our culture.
Speaker 6 (26:36):
Yes, you you're tony.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Guy who.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
More so than others.
Speaker 17 (26:53):
I don't remember JD's saying that I do. I mean, listen,
you could talk yourself into as many good players and
put them all over the formation as you can. I
can definitely speak to an offensive coaches perspective. It is
difficult when you have an outside guy and an inside guy.
There are times that you're gonna want them on the
same side. There are plenty of times you're gonna want
(27:14):
them opposite each other for obvious reasons. You know, Miles,
We've talked about this at nauseam. He gets a lot
of attention and it comes in the form of chips.
It comes in the form of slides that opens up
one on ones for other players, whether it's an outside
player or an inside player. Now, as we've all seen,
plenty of teams put two tight ends on both sides
(27:35):
and can chip both sides. So there's certainly ways to
try to slow down interior players. I think you see
more often with the chip help that people give and
certainly devote to miles and outside players, the interior players
can get that quicker win puts them in the lap
(27:56):
of the quarterback. Just interior players in the attack scheme.
Speaker 6 (28:14):
Man.
Speaker 17 (28:14):
I wish Coach Schwartz was up here for a history lesson.
You know, he he's had some great ones. We're just
up there talking about his bills defensive line, you know,
with I guess it was Mario Williams, Hughes, Marcel Darius,
Kyle Williams inside. I mean, those were four guys that
could win by themselves, but they had they really had
(28:35):
an outside and inside presence. But this scheme and how
Coach Schwartz coaches it, and what we demand of our
guys up front is really to be the engine, of course,
but also to mess things up mess stuff up. Other
words are sometimes used, and that's what this defensive line
is charged to do. And I think that's why when
(28:57):
you watch Mason's tape, you see so many examples of
that where it's very easy to translate that player into
our sky.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Finally, here's the man himself, Mason Graham.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
Hi, Mason, just wondering have you thought about pairing with
Miles Garrett and what that might be like for you?
Speaker 20 (29:17):
No, yeah, I've definitely thought about that. And he's, you know,
one of the best players in the league and he's
been really dominant, so you know, nothing but grateful to
play next to him and build up Cleveland.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
Hey, Mason, just curious how much you know about Jim
Schwartz already and just that his defense, he loves to
let interior guys get after the quarterback.
Speaker 6 (29:38):
Just how appealing the thought of that is for you.
Speaker 20 (29:41):
Yeah, for sure, Even on my thirty visit, you know,
he's telling me, I riding with the scheme, you know, attacking,
being disrupted on the front and then playing alongside other
great players is only gonna make this defense better.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
Mason. Congratulations. Andrew Berry has talked about before the pick
was even in that whoever they selected would have to
be a good fit for the organization and someone that
would fit in in Cleveland. So for what you know
about this organization and really northeast Ohio, if you know
anything about it, what makes you a good fit for
this organization?
Speaker 20 (30:13):
Yeah, I've been really close in Michigan the past few years.
So uh yeah, Cleveland, I think I'll just come in
and sit right in. You know, I feel like this
defense and just this culture that the team has. You know,
even on my thirty visit, I can tell that, you know,
everyone's about business and you know, wants to get back
on top.
Speaker 18 (30:28):
Hey Mason, when did you know that the Browns are
going to be a possibility? And were you shocked at
all when you got drafted there?
Speaker 20 (30:35):
Uh? I kind of heard some stuff, you know, But
on my thirty visit, I had a really good conversation
with coach to Fansky, Coach Schwartz, and coach Jocks, So
you know, I was really confident about you know, I
didn't know how it was on to play out, but
you know, unfortunately, you know, they traded back a few
picks and I was able, you know, they're able to
pick me up and you know, I'm nothing but grateful.
Speaker 6 (30:55):
I was going to ask you about that visit.
Speaker 19 (30:57):
What stood out to you most about your conversation with
Jim Schwartz.
Speaker 20 (31:03):
Yeah, I mean we had multiple conversations, but you know,
just him seeing, you know, how I could play in
the defense and you know, all of his experience that
he's had previously. He thinks I can fit right in,
you know, and I believe, you know, I'm a great
friend fit for the Cleveland Browns and this defense.
Speaker 14 (31:19):
It Mason Andrew Berry was talking about, you know, your
background and wrestling uh in high school and just how
it's how much important is as a defensive tackle. Can
you kind of expound on that a little bit and
how much you feel like it's benefited you and and
and you know technique and everything like that.
Speaker 20 (31:37):
Yeah, I feel like it's benefited me a lot. I
feel like wrestling teaches you just you know, mental and
physical toughness as well, you know, along with you know
the stuff that comes with being a d lineman. You know,
feeling leverage, feeling body weight. I mean, you know, you're
wrestling another big guy, and that's what you know, basically
is what offense and defensive line do all games, so
I feel like it really translates.
Speaker 12 (31:57):
Hey, Mason, I heard you call yourself a fierce competitor
right after you've been picked. Why is that so important
to you? And how else would you describe yourself as
a player.
Speaker 20 (32:06):
I mean, yeah, I called myself that because you know,
my main goal is to come in and win. You know,
I want to make this organization better. And you know,
me coming in here and playing along the front, I
feel like, you know, its only going to make the
team better.
Speaker 14 (32:20):
Mason, you played for a former NFL defensive coordinator in
in UH, coach Martindale. How much did uh? How much
do you feel like that will prepare you for what
you're you're gonna see, you know, coming into the league.
Speaker 20 (32:32):
Yeah, I mean just you know, gaining knowledge from him
this past year. You know, he's been in the league
for a while now, and then grateful to come to Michigan.
Know he the first thing that happened, he was, you know,
giving me the you know tips for the next level
because he knew, you know, I was gonna be at
this ultimate level come this time. So he was just
kind of preparing me and you know, giving me to
cern tips and stuff to uh you know, start fast
(32:54):
and you know, help the organization.
Speaker 8 (32:57):
Hey, Mason, how much are you looking forward to chasing
Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow?
Speaker 20 (33:03):
Well, I mean, Cleveland take me for a reason, so
obviously want me to take those guys down. So half
my main agenda, Mason.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
A lot of the guys that come through here say
they're going to attach themselves to the hip of Miles
Garrett so that they can learn so much from him.
Is that one of the things that you aim to do?
And what do you hope to learn from him? From
a pass rush standpoint?
Speaker 20 (33:24):
Yeah, I mean he's just a great overall player that
you can learn a lot from. You know, seems like
a good person. Haven't met him, but you know, I'm
sure I'll meet him pretty surely. But yeah, just gaining
knowledge from him. You know, he's he's one of the best,
so if not the best, So he just grateful to
you know, learn from him. And you know, I've been
blessed with a good vet.
Speaker 7 (33:44):
Mason. As you get into this organization and get acclimated
and start meeting people, I think people will start to
get to know you. But right now, what's the first
thing that Browns fans should know about you as a
player and a person.
Speaker 20 (33:57):
I feel like player first of all, the domine coming
in dominy, you know, make this team better fit right
in and the dog pound, and you know coach Schwartz,
you know, really relies on his front. So you know
that's what I'm gonna do. And you know he calls
at the engine and I'm gonna be just that for
you know, this team. And uh, talking about player, just
kind of what kind of person I am. I'm a
team guy, teen guy. I want to win at all
(34:19):
costs and I want to get Cleveland back on top.
Speaker 5 (34:23):
Hey, Mason, these guys took my call from Ohio State
obviously last year with their first pick in that draft,
So I'm sure there's some familiarity there that you have
with him. So, uh, just what do you think it'll
be like to play with you know, former rival here?
Speaker 6 (34:36):
Now?
Speaker 20 (34:37):
Yeah, I mean I've seen I've seen a lot of
his stuff the past three years, especially playing them. I
feel like he's a really good player. He moves really well.
So I feel like, you know, we can both you know,
work really well on the front and you know, get
into this attack you know, defense and cause some disruption.
Speaker 12 (34:55):
Ye are you close with Zach Zenter And if so,
will you get him on the phone real quick to
find out what Cleveland and the Browns are all about.
Speaker 20 (35:03):
Yeah, I'm close with him. I just you know, when
I was on my visit, I've seen him around working out,
so it was cool to see him. Yeah, he texted
me earlier. I've seen it pop up. I've got a
lot of messages, but you know, I've seen his and
he says, just welcome to Cleveland. It's worked.
Speaker 10 (35:20):
Hey, Mason, congratulations. Obviously it's nothing you can control. But
when the Browns trade down from number two and you
know they bypassed Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter, who are
you know, obviously very highly touted guys, is that something
that can motivate you to show you can make an
impact like like they may be able to. Is that
(35:42):
something that you can kind of look forward to lighting
a fire?
Speaker 20 (35:47):
Yeah? For sure. You know, you know, they traded it
back for a reason. They wanted to pick me, and
then you know, I feel like I'm just grateful for
the opportunity and I'm gonna come in and you know,
do whatever it takes. And yeah, blessed to be a
part of the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
That'll do for this episode of the From the Podium Podcast.
Be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever
you get your podcast, keep it locked to Cleveland Browns
daily each weekday, and follow the Browns on social media
for more coverage from the cross Country Mortgage Campus right
here in Borea. I'm Gabe Kollura. Thanks for listening to
the From the Podium Podcast.
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