The next installment of our series on the Steelers' first-round options in the NFL Draft, April 24:
There's no doubt that Omar Khan and Andy Weidl love to beef up the trenches in the draft. They've taken an offensive tackle in the first round in each of their first two drafts together. Now, it might be time to address the other side of the ball.
This series will be based not only on need, but also on the team's level of interest in each player. While the Khan and Mike Tomlin didn't attend the Michigan pro day or have brought him in for a visit, Kenneth Grant stands to be one of the most attractive options should the Steelers want to select a defensive tackle on Day 1 of the draft.
After playing in 14 games as a reserve during is freshman season, Grant was named second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. He played in all 15 games with, starting five of them, and recorded 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and six passes defensed for the national champion Wolverines. Grant concluded his college career as a full-time starter, playing in all 12 games. He was named third-team AP All-American and second-team All-Big Ten, recording 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and five passes defensed. He opted to not play in Michigan’s bowl game win over Alabama.
Despite expectations of a potential sub-5.0 40-yard dash, Grant is a freakish athlete given his size. His game speed plays better than his recorded foot speed, most often highlighted by this chase down of Penn State's Kaytron Allen during the 2023 season:
Grant's athleticism, size and strength gives him a high floor. As far as his ceiling goes, well, the sky is the limit. He's built big enough to play nose tackle, but he's quick and athletic enough to play as a three-technique. He's got some superb tools on top of his freaky traits, including a very quick first step and active hands (11 passes defensed over the past two seasons).
Of course, there are concerns. Grant too often gets too tall out of his stance, which causes him to immediately lose leverage and hurts his ability to eat up space. He also isn't quite as quick laterally, which has led to getting walled off by defenders too often on outside runs.
The biggest and perhaps most impactful concern is his inconsistent aggression. He doesn't take plays off, but he too often hesitates instead of attacking. When he's aggressive and attacks, he's often an unstoppable wrecking ball. That's why he's such an intriguing prospect. If coaches can unlock the reasons for that hesitation and cure it, Grant's a potential All-Pro.
There's a good chance Grant isn't even available when the Steelers are on the clock at No. 21. If he is available, Grant's among the prime list of candidates, regardless of whether or not the Steelers bring him in for a pre-draft visit. Grant has the potential to be the best defensive lineman in this class, even better than his Michigan teammate Mason Graham, who's projected to be a top-10 pick.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES/STATS
• Overall grade: 83.7 (25th of 895 DI) • Pass rush grade: 75.3 • True pass set pass rush grade: 77.3 • Run defense grade: 87.5 • Pass rush win rate: 9.4% • Run stop rate: 7.9%
STRENGTHS
• Freakish and rare blend of size, strength and athleticism.
• Elite first step off the ball helps beat beat blockers in run defense, but even more often when rushing the passer.
• Keeps eyes up and hands active, leading to batted-down passes at the line of scrimmage.
• When playing at the right pad level, he's a genuine space eater and threat against double teams.
• When in attack mode, possesses often superb pass rush instincts.
• Accomplished rusher when executing stunts.
WEAKNESSES
• Plays with high pad level too often, losing leverage.
• Lateral quickness doesn't match vertical quickness.
• Hand usage needs to be cleaned up.
• Hesitates far too often. Needs to be in full-blown attack mode all the time.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
5:11 pm - 04.08.2025DowntownDraft profile: Kenneth Grant
The next installment of our series on the Steelers' first-round options in the NFL Draft, April 24:
There's no doubt that Omar Khan and Andy Weidl love to beef up the trenches in the draft. They've taken an offensive tackle in the first round in each of their first two drafts together. Now, it might be time to address the other side of the ball.
This series will be based not only on need, but also on the team's level of interest in each player. While the Khan and Mike Tomlin didn't attend the Michigan pro day or have brought him in for a visit, Kenneth Grant stands to be one of the most attractive options should the Steelers want to select a defensive tackle on Day 1 of the draft.
KENNETH GRANT
• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Michigan (2022-24)
• Class: Junior
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 331
• 40-yard dash: 5.13 (pro day)
• RAS score: 7.17
• PFF Big Board: No. 16 overall, No. 2 DT
• Combine meeting: Yes (formal)
• Pro day visit: No
• Pre-draft visit: No
NFL comparison: TBD
OVERVIEW
After playing in 14 games as a reserve during is freshman season, Grant was named second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. He played in all 15 games with, starting five of them, and recorded 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and six passes defensed for the national champion Wolverines. Grant concluded his college career as a full-time starter, playing in all 12 games. He was named third-team AP All-American and second-team All-Big Ten, recording 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and five passes defensed. He opted to not play in Michigan’s bowl game win over Alabama.
Despite expectations of a potential sub-5.0 40-yard dash, Grant is a freakish athlete given his size. His game speed plays better than his recorded foot speed, most often highlighted by this chase down of Penn State's Kaytron Allen during the 2023 season:
Grant's athleticism, size and strength gives him a high floor. As far as his ceiling goes, well, the sky is the limit. He's built big enough to play nose tackle, but he's quick and athletic enough to play as a three-technique. He's got some superb tools on top of his freaky traits, including a very quick first step and active hands (11 passes defensed over the past two seasons).
Of course, there are concerns. Grant too often gets too tall out of his stance, which causes him to immediately lose leverage and hurts his ability to eat up space. He also isn't quite as quick laterally, which has led to getting walled off by defenders too often on outside runs.
The biggest and perhaps most impactful concern is his inconsistent aggression. He doesn't take plays off, but he too often hesitates instead of attacking. When he's aggressive and attacks, he's often an unstoppable wrecking ball. That's why he's such an intriguing prospect. If coaches can unlock the reasons for that hesitation and cure it, Grant's a potential All-Pro.
There's a good chance Grant isn't even available when the Steelers are on the clock at No. 21. If he is available, Grant's among the prime list of candidates, regardless of whether or not the Steelers bring him in for a pre-draft visit. Grant has the potential to be the best defensive lineman in this class, even better than his Michigan teammate Mason Graham, who's projected to be a top-10 pick.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES/STATS
• Overall grade: 83.7 (25th of 895 DI)
• Pass rush grade: 75.3
• True pass set pass rush grade: 77.3
• Run defense grade: 87.5
• Pass rush win rate: 9.4%
• Run stop rate: 7.9%
STRENGTHS
• Freakish and rare blend of size, strength and athleticism.
• Elite first step off the ball helps beat beat blockers in run defense, but even more often when rushing the passer.
• Keeps eyes up and hands active, leading to batted-down passes at the line of scrimmage.
• When playing at the right pad level, he's a genuine space eater and threat against double teams.
• When in attack mode, possesses often superb pass rush instincts.
• Accomplished rusher when executing stunts.
WEAKNESSES
• Plays with high pad level too often, losing leverage.
• Lateral quickness doesn't match vertical quickness.
• Hand usage needs to be cleaned up.
• Hesitates far too often. Needs to be in full-blown attack mode all the time.
Other draft profiles:
• Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
• Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
• Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
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