Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant gave NFL scouts a glimpse at the best version of himself in Michigan鈥檚 13-10 upset of Ohio State in November.
The 6-foot-4, 331-pounder was a monster in the middle of the Michigan defense, making four run stuffs and five hurries on the quarterback in the win over the eventual national champions.
Asked at the NFL Scouting Combine about his best career game, Grant didn鈥檛 hesitate:
鈥淒efinitely that Ohio State game,鈥 he said. 鈥淐oach lined me up in that zero (technique), and I was eating all game, to be honest. I was stopping the run pretty good. I had the opportunity to rush the passer, so I was getting back there a lot.鈥
Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant warms up during the team鈥檚 spring game April 20, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Grant had 69 tackles and 6陆 sacks in three seasons at Michigan.
Grant鈥檚 rare size and ability to dominate the middle of the line of scrimmage makes him a first-round prospect in the 2025 NFL draft and a possibility for the Buffalo Bills with the No. 30 overall pick.
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The Bills don鈥檛 have a primary backup to DaQuan Jones at the 1-technique defensive tackle position (opposite the shoulder of the center). And Jones is entering the last year of his contract.
With his girth and length (he has 33陆-inch arms), Grant is perfect for the 1-technqiue spot, and he can even play head-up on the center (0 technique), which some 3-4 teams play.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a cartoon character,鈥 NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 an Adonis, how big he is. ... Just massive. He鈥檚 a people-mover. Talking to the folks where he鈥檚 been doing a lot of his training, at 340 pounds, he should not be able to move around like that. So, you鈥檙e hoping and dreaming on this Dexter Lawrence-type ascension for him once he gets to the NFL. He hasn鈥檛 put it all together, but it鈥檚 all in there.鈥
The 340-pound Lawrence, a first-round pick in 2019, has developed into an All-Pro player for the New York Giants. Grant played the 2024 season at 345 pounds. Like many players, he dropped weight to get ready for the combine, down to 331.
While the Ohio State game saw Grant at his best, he wasn鈥檛 quite as consistent week-to-week for Michigan. That鈥檚 not uncommon for such a big defensive tackle.
There are times when Grant can play a bit too upright and get stalemated at the line of scrimmage.
鈥淚f he can keep the weight down where it needs to be, then the stamina and the endurance improves,鈥 ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. 鈥淭hen, he stays low. Low man wins, and he鈥檚 winning those battles. When he鈥檚 more upright and the stamina and endurance waned a little bit, then because he鈥檚 not at the weight he needs to be, you see a little bit of an issue there. If he maximizes what he does best, when he鈥檚 at the right weight, he can be more than just a stay-at-home type.鈥
The Bills generally don鈥檛 like two-down defensive tackles. They like big defensive tackles. But they like DTs who can penetrate gaps and be at least a bit of a factor pushing the pocket on passing downs.
鈥淚鈥檓 a three-down player, for sure,鈥 Grant said. 鈥淚 can rush the passer with my strength and a little bit of finesse in there. Most guys think I鈥檓 just a run-stopper, but I鈥檓 super-athletic and can rush the passer.鈥
The question for the Bills鈥 brain trust: Is Grant that much better than one of the quality defensive tackles that likely will be available late in the second round?
鈥淗e could be a Buffalo Bill,鈥 Kiper said of Grant. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what they鈥檙e looking for. I think Buffalo would be a good landing spot. If he can maintain that, he can be a really good pro because he is disruptive.鈥
The Bills鈥 defense ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and 19th in yards per carry allowed.
Michigan ranked fifth in the nation in run defense, yielding just 90 yards per game.
Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant sacks Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the national championship game on Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston.
Grant, only 21 years old, started 12 games for Michigan last season as a true junior, and five games in 2023, when Michigan won the national title.
鈥淲e always pride ourselves as D-linemen to stop the run first, and that gives us the ability to rush the passer,鈥 Grant said. 鈥淚t goes hand in hand.鈥
He said he is eager to test himself against double-team blocks in the NFL.
鈥淚鈥檓 definitely looking for that challenge,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey want to stop big people on the inside first, then work out, because the interior is the first priority.鈥
Grant met with the Bills at the combine in Indianapolis, calling the meeting 鈥減retty cool鈥 and 鈥渞eal smooth.鈥
鈥淚 think Kenneth Grant has the ability and tools to do some unique stuff, and he has not come close to scratching the surface of his potential,鈥 Jeremiah said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 someone who鈥檚 dominant against the run, but I think he鈥檚 got a lot of upside as a rusher.鈥
