Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Michigan Wolverines Kenneth Grant Calais Campbell Jalen Ramsey Mike McDaniel Arizona Cardinals Michigan NFL Jevon Holland Sports NFL football Zach Sieler National Football League Miami Chris Grier
# Dolphins select Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with No. 13 pick in the NFL draft

By Alanis Thames  
April 25th, 2025 01:47 AM

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Kenneth Grant had no idea what NFL team he would land on, but it didn't take long for him to find his answer Thursday night.

The Miami Dolphins selected him with the 13th pick in the NFL draft, addressing what they felt was one of their biggest positions of need in defensive tackle.

Grant, who played at Michigan, the alma mater of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, is already excited about his new team.

"I think I'll fit in great," said Grant, a tone-setter against the run who was regarded as one of the top nose tackles in the draft. "It's kind of the same scheme as my previous school. I think I can wreak havoc in the backfield, run and pass game."

The Dolphins will rely on him to do that, quickly.

Miami needed to bolster its defensive front after the departure of veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who in March opted to return to the Arizona Cardinals team that drafted him after playing one season in Miami.

The Dolphins used their top pick to add an experienced and versatile player who was one of the standouts of Michigan's national title-winning team two seasons ago and will likely be plugged right in alongside Zach Sieler on Miami's defensive line.

Grant, a third-team Associated Press All-American this past season, started 12 games with 32 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and five pass breakups. He's exactly the type of huge gap-filler that Miami needs, though general manager Chris Grier said the team views him as more than a run stopper.

"We do think he has the ability to generate (pressure)," Grier said, "And you've heard us talk about the pass rush, it's not always about sacks. The ability to push the pocket in the middle is a huge thing in the NFL now. And we think he has tremendous work ethic and upside to do that."

Grant is also athletic enough to chase down running backs and take on double teams, and he said he's comfortable lining up in front of both guards and centers.

"A lot of guys this size really aren't as fast as me or can do finesse things like me," Grant said. "For me, it's all power, bull rush and things like that."

Some had concerns about Grant's conditioning. He is listed at 331 pounds and has weighed as much as 350. Grier said the Dolphins have no concerns about his weight after speaking with Grant at his Pro Day and keeping in touch since then.

"We did a lot of background studies and information gathering on it and feel very comfortable with him," Grier said. "And from talking to the people at Michigan, they don't view it as an issue."

This is part of a small revamp for a Miami defense that finished fourth in the NFL last season but will look slightly different next season after losing Campbell and safety Jevon Holland in free agency. Miami is also expected to trade All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey before the start of the 2025 season.

Grant was one of the players that the team was hoping would be available at No. 13 despite fielding some calls about moving back in the round to acquire more picks.

The Dolphins have 10 picks in this year's draft and a lot of key positions to address.

In addition to defensive tackle, they also need to find as many as two starting cornerbacks and a starting offensive guard. They have two picks on Friday, including the 48th overall selection in the second round and the 98th pick in the third round. Miami will make seven selections on the final day of the draft.

While different draft experts had Miami going with a cornerback or guard with its top pick, the team viewed defensive tackle as a more pressing need, as one of their biggest improvements in 2025 needs to be in the trenches.

"I think (Grant) affects the run game, affects the pass game, affects the pocket," coach Mike McDaniel said. "You talk about some of the biggest impacts in the National Football League on pass downs is where the line of scrimmage is set, or how much pocket push you can get. ... We feel if you can add really good players on the line of scrimmage, if we had the opportunity we were really excited about that, and we jumped on this one with elation."

Grant said he doesn't mind doing the dirty work up front. For him, that's one of the most important aspects of football.

"You've just got to have a dog mentality," he said. "A 'team over me' mentality and head space. Just being able to be a guy that does all the dirty work and let other teammates shine."

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