DT Kenneth Grant Highlights

[MrClean]

4. KENNETH GRANT, Michigan (6-3 ½, 330, 5.13, 1-2): Third-year junior. “Reminds me a little bit of Richard Seymour and Kevin Williams, that type of guy,” one scout said. “Because I don’t think he’s a true noseguard the way he runs. More of the bigger 3-technique guy, but he’s so big he kind of creates his own (model) because not many are as big as him and can run like him. He has some pass rush, and I think that will only improve when he understands what is needed from him.” Played sparingly as a true freshman before starting five games in 2023 and 12 in ’24. “I like him better than Graham,” said a second scout. “He has length, push. He’s aggressive. I’d take him over Mazi Smith.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 1/8. “He was way better than Graham,” a third scout said. “Not even close. Some rawness. Not a ton of experience. Pretty smooth movement for a big man. He’s got some inside pass rush. Power rush is really good. Really stout at the point. Hands are a little inconsistent on his pass-rush moves. The arrow is really up.” Finished with 69 tackles (12 for loss), 6 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. “Big body that demands double teams,” a fourth scout said. “Plugs up space. He played extremely hard. He’s got good range just due to the effort and playing to the whistle. Long arms to affect the passing lanes. He’s a really good player.” Three-star recruit from Merrillville, Ind. Also started at guard as a prep senior. Threw the shot put in track. “He’s gigantic and all … but I was really disappointed,” a fifth scout said. “Big ol’ dude is just a non-factor. ‘Are you going to make a play at any point?’ Plays upright, gets killed by angle blocks, doesn’t have great feel. I don’t see it. He’s seventh on my list of DTs.” Added a sixth scout: “He’s technically unsound. I can see the conditioning being an issue. If he doesn’t have Graham next to him he probably doesn’t develop to the level he has. You could hit on this guy, but you’ve got to have a really good D-line coach who’s gonna kick his ass and hold him accountable. If you don’t have that, you’re probably going to get a bust.”

 

[The Goat]

There was strong rumors Atlanta wanted him at 15 and Arizona took a DT at 16….so I doubt it?

As is usually the case, NFL teams and people in the know have more info than the average message board poster and mock drafter.

 

[BSQ]

When the report of Grant came out about him taking plays off, I got nervous. Thinking he'd be a failure in Miami; due to the heat and humidity.

I love the talent and the ability to play the run. I just worry about motivation and conditioning.

The kid is a phucking mountain of a man. Let's hope that report is wrong and the NFLN analyst are correct in their evaluation of him as a potential future top level DT.

I'm happy but cautious about that negative report.

It was a definitive need for Miami with only 2 Dlineman on the roster.

Don't worry about reports like that around draft time. Take it with a grain of salt. We got a great DT, the great tackles were done so we pivoted to DL and got a huge monster to replave Calais and play next to Seiler. This is a fine draft pick imo. Now go get oline and CB, Safety.

 

[ChambersWI]

There was strong rumors Atlanta wanted him at 15 and Arizona took a DT at 16….so I doubt it?

I think a lot of fans and even the draft community as a whole was late getting on the DT class

 

[Springveldt]

Don’t hate on the media for calling it correctly. Whether the kid pans out or not, his draft grade was in the mid to late 20’s. When you reach for him at 13 due to need (and higher rated options being available that also filled needs) that’s the grade you’re gonna get.

I don't think there is any way he would fall past the Chargers at 22. Add in the fact that 2 teams behind us took DT's at 16 and 21 then chances are all the DT's are gone by 22.

Harbaugh called Graham and Grant "a gift from the football gods" so I doubt he would have passed up Grant.

 

[ThePeopleShow13]

I wonder if he would have been available later in the round, but you need a trade partner to move back.

I’m okay with it, and his floor in Weaver’s scheme should be pretty high. Could be a complete monster.

I’m going to hazard a guess and say it would have been fairly hard to get value for our pick AND still be able to draft Grant. If you love a player you don’t risk missing out on them for a mid-late RD3 pick.

 

[Aqua Man]

His draft grade was in the mid to late 20s, according to who, besides you?

Well, for starters NFL.com gave him a draft grade of 6.34 which they equate to: Could EVENTUALLY become a plus starter and that’s not considered good value when picking @13, especially considering Miami’s MANY needs and who was still on the board. Another way to look at it: There will be DT’s still available at #48 with a draft grade of: Could eventually become a plus starter.

I could keep going with alot more sources than NFL.com but you can investigate further if you’re interested enough to look into our 1st round pick. Look, if you like the pick, fine. It doesn’t change the fact that at #13 he was a reach and Miami certainly over drafted him.

Miami could have drafted Zach Thomas in the 1st round and he could have become a hall of famer but it wouldn’t change the fact that Miami over drafted him. Grant’s a Dolphin now so of course I hope he crushes it from here on out but it won’t change the fact that last night Miami once again looked overmatched and unprepared to maximize their draft slot- which has been a running theme for all too long.

It’s ok to accept that while still rooting for Grant now that he wears a Miami uni.

 

[Aqua Man]

I don't think there is any way he would fall past the Chargers at 22. Add in the fact that 2 teams behind us took DT's at 16 and 21 then chances are all the DT's are gone by 22.

Harbaugh called Graham and Grant "a gift from the football gods" so I doubt he would have passed up Grant.

He might not have lasted past #22, but I still don’t draft him at 13 considering there’s a few other DT’s that grade out VERY similar that will most likely still be on the board when Miami picks at #48.

I’d much rather have seen Miami draft the highest rated CB in the entire draft at 13 and then take the highest rated remaining DT at or near #48 because guys are going to be there. Instead, Miami took a guy who’s had 6.5 total sacks in the last 3 years and even more worrisome- looks like he might just be a 2 down DT at the beginning of his career.

Make no mistake, Miami REALLY needed to come out of last night with a Day 1 starter. Period. There were guys sitting there at 13 who are Day 1 starters. Instead. Miami drafted a guy who could eventually become a solid starter. I’m sorry, that’s a reach when they didn’t have to settle for a reach.

 

[BlueFin]

I don’t think this is true today or in first year. Grants got some stuff to clean up. But what made me first intrigued with Grant was when I watched Mason Graham highlights…go watch his highlights and watch who gets doubled almost everytime. It’s not Graham. It’s Grant.

That’s a great observation. I’m gonna have to check that out?… but what I also like about him is that he’s only 21… There will definitely be more development and we may have a monster when all is said and done.

I don’t think this is true today or in first year. Grants got some stuff to clean up. But what made me first intrigued with Grant was when I watched Mason Graham highlights…go watch his highlights and watch who gets doubled almost everytime. It’s not Graham. It’s Grant.

 

[BlueFin]

He might not have lasted past #22, but I still don’t draft him at 13 considering there’s a few other DT’s that grade out VERY similar that will most likely still be on the board when Miami picks at #48.

I’d much rather have seen Miami draft the highest rated CB in the entire draft at 13 and then take the highest rated remaining DT at or near #48 because guys are going to be there. Instead, Miami took a guy who’s had 6.5 total sacks in the last 3 years and even more worrisome- looks like he might just be a 2 down DT at the beginning of his career.

Make no mistake, Miami REALLY needed to come out of last night with a Day 1 starter. Period. There were guys sitting there at 13 who are Day 1 starters. Instead. Miami drafted a guy who could eventually become a solid starter. I’m sorry, that’s a reach when they didn’t have to settle for a reach.

Totally disagree… Grant will start, and he will make an impact and help the whole defensive line!

 

[Nappy Roots]

That’s a great observation. I’m gonna have to check that out?… but what I also like about him is that he’s only 21… There will definitely be more development and we may have a monster when all is said and done.

Although if Grant lined up at 1T you would expect him to be doubled more, especially in run snaps. But this speaks some volumes to me. This doesn’t even take into count run snap. On Pass rush reps, Grant was doubled almost 20% more than Graham.

 

[The Goat]

Well, for starters NFL.com gave him a draft grade of 6.34 which they equate to: Could EVENTUALLY become a plus starter and that’s not considered good value when picking @13, especially considering Miami’s MANY needs and who was still on the board. Another way to look at it: There will be DT’s still available at #48 with a draft grade of: Could eventually become a plus starter.

I could keep going with alot more sources than NFL.com but you can investigate further if you’re interested enough to look into our 1st round pick. Look, if you like the pick, fine. It doesn’t change the fact that at #13 he was a reach and Miami certainly over drafted him.

Miami could have drafted Zach Thomas in the 1st round and he could have become a hall of famer but it wouldn’t change the fact that Miami over drafted him. Grant’s a Dolphin now so of course I hope he crushes it from here on out but it won’t change the fact that last night Miami once again looked overmatched and unprepared to maximize their draft slot- which has been a running theme for all too long.

It’s ok to accept that while still rooting for Grant now that he wears a Miami uni.

Accepting your conjecture as factual simply isn’t necessary. What is factual is that NFL.com writers don’t run franchises or make picks. Their ratings, just like ours, are subjective.

 

[BlueFin]

Wide variety. I can understand people not being in on Grant, but having watched him, only weakness is he's gotta refine his technique. Kid is gonna be really really good

I agree… I like this pick more and more as I learn more about him?

 

[Aqua Man]

Totally disagree… Grant will start, and he will make an impact and help the whole defensive line!

I agree that Grant will most definitely start. We simply don’t have enough bodies at the position for him not to be starting.

That doesn’t automatically mean that he’s ready to step in as a 3 down starter in this league. I’m upset with the pick because I think Miami could have drafted their #1 CB for the next 8 years and followed that up by drafting a DT @48 that’s rated pretty similar to the guy we just drafted at #13.

Grant’s a Fin now so I’ll shift my focus to rooting for him to be the guy from day 1 but it doesn’t change the fact that I feel very strongly that Grier botched night 1 of the draft.

 

[Fin-Loco]