Cleveland Browns legend Hanford Dixon knows a thing or two about elite defense. So when the former All-Pro cornerback singles out an incoming rookie, people across the NFL take notice.
That happened recently when Dixon praised one 2025 Browns draft selection, calling him the “real deal” during a segment of “The Hanford Dixon Show.”
Cleveland Browns Legend Hanford Dixon Praises Draft Pick
Dixon carved out an impressive NFL career, earning three Pro Bowl selections (1986-1988) and two first-team All-Pro honors (1986, 1987) with the Browns in the 1980s.
Over his nine-season career, he recorded 26 interceptions and helped lead the Browns to three AFC Championship appearances. Beyond the box score, Dixon left a cultural impact by coining the term “Dawg Pound,” which has become synonymous with Browns fandom.
Since retiring from the NFL, Dixon has remained influential in the Cleveland sports community. In addition to motivational speaking and community outreach, he discusses Browns football on “The Hanford Dixon Show.”
In a recent conversation about Cleveland’s incoming rookie draft class, Dixon singled out first-round draft selection Mason Graham, stating he believes the former Michigan defensive tackle is “the real deal.”
“I know he’s a rookie. I know he’s just coming into the league. I think (Graham) is going to be the real deal,” Dixon predicted. “Again, he was the fifth-overall pick in this draft. I talked to a lot of people from Michigan, and they love this guy. I have not had one person say anything bad about this guy.”
Mason Graham is the REAL DEAL. #DawgPound
“I talked to a lot of people from Michigan and they LOVE this guy.”
Presented by @Bathroomsusa https://t.co/aFxmISVIvZ pic.twitter.com/IqcuOvGwvO
— The Hanford Dixon Show (@TopDawgShow) June 27, 2025
High Expectations Follow Graham to Cleveland
Graham, selected fifth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after a blockbuster trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, arrives in Cleveland with sky-high expectations. A cornerstone of Michigan’s 2024 National Championship defense, Graham was known for his relentless motor, disruptive presence, and leadership on the field.
Dixon’s endorsement adds fuel to the excitement surrounding Graham’s arrival. That kind of praise from a Browns icon isn’t handed out lightly, but the defensive tackle still needs to prove himself on the field.
Graham enters his rookie season under an intense spotlight, not just as a top-five pick but as the player chosen over two-way phenom Travis Hunter. While the Browns did not technically pick Graham over Hunter, their decision to trade down with the Jaguars cost them the opportunity to draft the “Shohei Ohtani of the NFL.”
Although Graham’s talent is undeniable, the implications of that trade have placed high expectations on his shoulders. Every snap he takes will be compared to Hunter’s success as both a wide receiver and cornerback. Fortunately for Graham, he has legends like Dixon in his corner.