2021 NFL Draft Profile: Texas DL Ta’Quon Graham

As Burnt Orange’s Nation draft preview continues, we’ll profile former Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham.

The Temple product arrived to Austin in 2017 and ended his career appearing in 48 games, starting in 24 for the Longhorns. Graham was an honorable All-Big 12 mention in 2020 after starting in all nine games at defensive tackle for Texas.

Graham already possesses NFL-caliber strength and power, two traits that teams look for in an interior lineman. His physicality allows him to explode off the line and gain leverage on an offensive lineman. It also doesn't hurt that he’s 6’4 and weighs around 290 pounds.

The biggest need for Graham to address will be his repertoire of moves. At the professional level, he won’t be able to rely solely on his frame and strong hands to get by stronger, more physical offensive lineman. At times in college, he showed he was prone to be shifted into double teams. Adding a few pass-rushing moves will help him get into the backfield more, but that also depends on the scheme he’ll play in.

Graham predominantly played as a defensive end in Todd Orlando’s defense, but switched to a defensive tackle under Chris Ash. While Graham put up his best numbers statistically at defensive end, he nearly matched that in 2020 while playing four games less.

Graham’s best fit in the NFL will most likely be playing as a three-technique interior lineman in a 4-3 scheme. While he did play on the outside when he first came to Texas, he doesn’t have the necessary bend or speed to be positioned on the end full time.

Graham is currently projected to be a late-round draft, somewhere in the sixth or seventh round on day three. Odds are he won’t be an immediate starter, but Graham does have the potential to turn into a solid contributor for an NFL team.

Graham is ranked as the 264th-best available player on ESPN’s big board while PFF has him at No. 243.