While he wasn't able to show it off at the NFL combine due to a minor hamstring issue, anyone who's watched Big 10 football over the last few years could tell you that IDL Kenneth Grant is an absolute specimen. Just take a look at this play he made vs. Penn State and running back Kaytron Allen two years ago.
Grant has served as both a nose tackle and a one-gap option for the Wolverines over the past three years, receiving this distinction from his former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, "a gift from the football gods", before he ever took a down for Michigan. Mason Graham is the headline guy out of Michigan this draft cycle, but Grant has gotten a lot of round one hype himself. What is there to know about the multi-time Second-Team All-Big 10 defender?
Player Bio
Name: Kenneth Grant
Jersey: No. 78
Position: Interior Defensive Lineman
School: Michigan
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3 1/2"
Weight: 331 lbs.
Games Watched: vs. Ohio State and Alabama (Rose Bowl) (2023), vs. Texas and USC (2024)
Major Injury History: N/A
Block Shedding (12.5/15)
Grant has adequate ability to get off blocks, but my two notes would be these: Firstly, there were a number of occasions where he had opportunities to make plays in the backfield if he deconstructed things quicker and didn't. Secondly, hand placement inconsistencies were a bit of a problem in spots, but good coaching can square that away without problems, I imagine.
Strength at the LOS (12.75/15)
Where Grant lost points for me is that you didn't see him physically overwhelm linemen one-on-one in pass rush situations a ton. It's more so a 2023 issue, but even with some growth in the 2024 tape, he still has room to grow. Grant could be better dealing with lateral blocking from offensive linemen as a run defender, but he was not moved around easily otherwise. He can dictate things as an A-gap defender on just about every snap and isn't an easy guy to move on duo blocks.
Pass Rush Ability (11.5/15)
I would chalk up Grant to being more of a flashes guy over a consistent pass-rush excellence guy, but it's easy to get excited about his potential future, rushing the passer from the inside. It's not the best slate of tape here from a numbers standpoint, but you got glimpses of Grant being able to win with athleticism, finesse, and power. But I would've also liked to have seen him be better working his iso matchups given the level of competition in these four games; however, seeing it in real time, he was legitimately unstoppable at points vs. Ohio State in 2024.
The big thing that could be further developed, though, is his ability to run twists/stunts from the interior. His short-area/lateral agility is spectacular, as are his quick hands. While a lot of reps where he ran them were on quick passes, we did get to see one turn into a sack vs. USC.
Consistency (14.5/15)
I had this down in my notes a few times, but one that jumped out pretty early with Grant was that he consistently gave legitimate effort as a pursuit guy in scramble drill situations and when runs hit the second level, which I, for one, can appreciate. Keeping him in that 330-320 lb. range will be important to help him become every down defender one day, but I didn't think Grant was a guy who lost reps on a lack of effort much.
Push (7.75/10)
If Grant's pad level was a bit more consistent, and his hand placement just a touch better, this score would be even higher. He could've been better in some zone run looks not getting washed out laterally (not a long-term worry in my view), and I would've liked to have seen him be able to work over guards and push them back a bit more as a 3/4 tech in pass rush spots, but again, you saw flashes of some heavy power. At least for me, that does enough to quell some concern I had after seeing his bench press outing at the combine.
Length Usage (8.5/10)
Grant's arm length would put him in the 63rd percentile and his wingspan in the 70th percentile ballpark, but he's a wide man and makes the most of what he physically has to be a very good space eater; especially lining up over center. The lack of arm size certainly didn't help him a ton as a pass rusher with regards to leverage, but he's athletic and crafty enough to make up for that in some respects. For context, his 32 1/2 arms are identical or just in range of these notable current NFL defenders: Christian Barmore, DJ Reeder, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jalen Carter, and Sheldon Rankins. He should be more than fine with that said.
Athleticism (10/10)
330 lb'ers don't come with the raw speed, explosiveness, and agility that Grant does often if ever. Just look where he starts this play and where he ends up by the time Jalen Milroe goes down. This kid is not normal.
Football IQ (9.5/10)
Grant was quick to tout his film smarts at the Shrine Bowl when discussing his meeting there with the Cowboys, and I have no reason to distrust him after watching him. You frequently saw him calling things out to Mason Graham and other teammates pre-snap, and I thought he saw things develop in front of him well with the right reaction coming just about every time. Can't ask for much else.
Player Summary
While not the prospect that Mason Graham is, I see why some are very excited about Grant's future. Of course, he has some work to do as a pass rusher, but he's a phenomenal run defender and has athletic traits you cannot teach for a guy of his size and position. I cannot fathom a player with his profile not slipping out of the top 20/25 with some teams sitting in the teens needing a guy like Grant to help out on the run defense front; the Cardinals, Cowboys, and Bengals jump out right away as logical landing spots with that in mind.
Grant's ability to play in any front should make him a valuable asset, but I feel confident enough to say his best rookie year usage will be as a 0-3 tech guy in the run game and a secondary part of a team's pass rush rotation as he continues to progress there. Regardless, you can't teach a lot of what Grant brings to the table, and I'm fascinated to see how things go for him in year one. Very fun player.
Rookie Projection: Rotational 4-3 DT/3-4 NT
Third-Year Projection: Every Down Multi-Tech IDL
Final Grade (87/100): Mid-First Round Grade
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