The Miami Dolphins started their 2025 NFL draft by taking Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 overall selection.
It was a pretty sensible selection to fill an egregious need, but not everyone thought the defensive line should’ve been the Dolphins’ first priority. After Miami cut ties with Kendall Fuller and announced that Jalen Ramsey is on the trading block, most mock drafts pointed at cornerback as the likeliest position for the Dolphins in Round 1.
There are also some experts who felt No. 13 overall was a little early for Grant, who landed in the back half of the first round in mock drafts.
Here’s how experts graded the selection:
USA Today: C
Via Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz:
“A magnet for double teams and a force against the run, the 6-4, 331-pounder will certainly make his presence felt for a Dolphins team needing to create more of a push up front. But Grant still has substantial work to do to harness his considerable athleticism in pass-rushing scenarios, and he might never be a prolific playmaker in the backfield. That makes this pick a little rich in a class that’s long on interior defenders who can hold the point of attack.”
NFL.com (B-)
“Grant could grow to become a powerful tackle in the Dexter Lawrence mold. He possesses good feet for his size. He’ll need to play with a lower pad level against NFL interior linemen, though, and must show the ability to affect the passer to be more than a two-down tackle. It’s not clear to me that Grant was the top tackle on the board at No. 13, with Derrick Harmon still available. It’s also worth noting that Jahdae Barron could have filled a pressing need in the secondary for the Dolphins.”
Yahoo Sports (B-)
“Kenneth Grant is a big, athletic nose tackle who will immediately help the Dolphins get more physical against the run. Grant has some pass rush upside that’s unusual for a 330-pound defensive tackle, but Miami’s offensive tackle situation is in such a tough spot. It might’ve been a bit more prudent to draft an offensive tackle here.”
Sports Illustrated (C)
“Grant doesn’t get the same amount of attention as his former teammate in Mason Graham, but he’s a first-round talent all day. The 331-pounder was a dominant force on the interior for Michigan, showing the ability to stuff the run while also getting upfield to total 6.5 sacks over the past two years. He’s the best pure nose tackle in this class.”
CBS Sports (B+)
“The Dolphins had to get an interior defensive lineman and Grant fits in perfectly. He is a big, power player who can line up next to Zach Sieler. I like this pick for a team desperate for defensive line help.”
The Athletic (B)
“This was a little earlier than expected for Grant, whom Brugler had rated No. 25 in this class. Grant is stout and solid, though, and can take up blockers in the Dolphins’ 3-4 defense. He is the perfect defensive tackle to play over the center or between the A-gap and occupy double teams.”
As his frame suggests, Grant is massive, yet he’s still quicker than most men his size. Playing alongside Graham at Michigan, Grant compiled a combined 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks plus 11 passes defensed over the last two years. He also has a wide wingspan (82 5/8 inches).”
Fox Sports (C-)
“The injury to Tua Tagovailoa was obviously the biggest factor in Miami’s disappointing 8-8 season, but don’t overlook the loss of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency. This club needed girth and power inside and few in this class provide that more than Grant, a burly intimidator in the middle. Grant is unique in that along with his bulk, he’s also a very smart defender, getting his hands up to knock down passes and kicks. That said, while the position was clearly one of need for Miami, I didn’t see Grant as worthy of a top-20 selection and question the value of this pick.”
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins draft Kenneth Grant: Experts hand out grades for Miami
The Miami Dolphins started their 2025 NFL draft by taking Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 overall selection.
It was a pretty sensible selection to fill an egregious need, but not everyone thought the defensive line should’ve been the Dolphins’ first priority. After Miami cut ties with Kendall Fuller and announced that Jalen Ramsey is on the trading block, most mock drafts pointed at cornerback as the likeliest position for the Dolphins in Round 1.
There are also some experts who felt No. 13 overall was a little early for Grant, who landed in the back half of the first round in mock drafts.
Here’s how experts graded the selection:
USA Today: C
Via Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz:
“A magnet for double teams and a force against the run, the 6-4, 331-pounder will certainly make his presence felt for a Dolphins team needing to create more of a push up front. But Grant still has substantial work to do to harness his considerable athleticism in pass-rushing scenarios, and he might never be a prolific playmaker in the backfield. That makes this pick a little rich in a class that’s long on interior defenders who can hold the point of attack.”
NFL.com (B-)
“Grant could grow to become a powerful tackle in the Dexter Lawrence mold. He possesses good feet for his size. He’ll need to play with a lower pad level against NFL interior linemen, though, and must show the ability to affect the passer to be more than a two-down tackle. It’s not clear to me that Grant was the top tackle on the board at No. 13, with Derrick Harmon still available. It’s also worth noting that Jahdae Barron could have filled a pressing need in the secondary for the Dolphins.”
Yahoo Sports (B-)
“Kenneth Grant is a big, athletic nose tackle who will immediately help the Dolphins get more physical against the run. Grant has some pass rush upside that’s unusual for a 330-pound defensive tackle, but Miami’s offensive tackle situation is in such a tough spot. It might’ve been a bit more prudent to draft an offensive tackle here.”
Sports Illustrated (C)
“Grant doesn’t get the same amount of attention as his former teammate in Mason Graham, but he’s a first-round talent all day. The 331-pounder was a dominant force on the interior for Michigan, showing the ability to stuff the run while also getting upfield to total 6.5 sacks over the past two years. He’s the best pure nose tackle in this class.”
CBS Sports (B+)
“The Dolphins had to get an interior defensive lineman and Grant fits in perfectly. He is a big, power player who can line up next to Zach Sieler. I like this pick for a team desperate for defensive line help.”
The Athletic (B)
“This was a little earlier than expected for Grant, whom Brugler had rated No. 25 in this class. Grant is stout and solid, though, and can take up blockers in the Dolphins’ 3-4 defense. He is the perfect defensive tackle to play over the center or between the A-gap and occupy double teams.”
As his frame suggests, Grant is massive, yet he’s still quicker than most men his size. Playing alongside Graham at Michigan, Grant compiled a combined 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks plus 11 passes defensed over the last two years. He also has a wide wingspan (82 5/8 inches).”
Fox Sports (C-)
“The injury to Tua Tagovailoa was obviously the biggest factor in Miami’s disappointing 8-8 season, but don’t overlook the loss of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency. This club needed girth and power inside and few in this class provide that more than Grant, a burly intimidator in the middle. Grant is unique in that along with his bulk, he’s also a very smart defender, getting his hands up to knock down passes and kicks. That said, while the position was clearly one of need for Miami, I didn’t see Grant as worthy of a top-20 selection and question the value of this pick.”
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins draft Kenneth Grant: Experts hand out grades for Miami
