Latest news with #KennethGrant
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Kelly: History says plenty of Dolphins rookies will be put in position to start
The Miami Dolphins have Jonah Savaiinaea penciled in as one of the team's starting guards from the day they drafted the University of Arizona standout in the second round. Whether he's on the left or the right will be determined in training camp, whenever he signs his deal and shows up. Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers will each play 400-plus snaps this season if healthy. All three college nose tackles will be given an opportunity to cement themselves as Miami's starting defensive linemen because that unit's bare with the exception of Zach Sieler, who might participate in a training camp hold-in, limiting his practices while he and his agent pushes for a new contract, and nose tackle Benito Jones. And there's literally nobody standing in Jason Marshall Jr.'s way of becoming a rookie starter at cornerback for the Dolphins. That means five of the Dolphins' 20 rookies who report for training camp on Tuesday have a legit chance to become day one starters for Miami. The recent addition of Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick makes it highly unlikely that Dante Trader Jr., the Maryland standout Miami selected in the fifth round, becomes a rookie starter. He'd have to beat out veterans like Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Elijah Campbell for one of the top four safety spots on the depth chart. That's not impossible, but it's also not likely. It's more realistic that Trader becomes a core special teams contributor considering he excels playing the third phase of the game in college. Marshall Jr. has the best runway to become a day one starter out of all late-round selections because Kader Kohou is the only established cornerback more securely fixed to the 53-man roster. Marshall, who had an uneven collegiate career at the University of Florida, will compete with veterans Kendall Sheffield, Artie Burns, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson, Ryan Cooper Jr., and fellow rookies B.J. Adams and Ethan Robinson for one of the three starting cornerback roles in Miami's secondary. Last season the Dolphins carried six cornerbacks on the 53-man roster. Rookie tailback Ollie Gordon II, a 2024 fifth-round pick, and quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Dolphins' seventh-round pick, will have a shot to unseat a top backup at their positions, and whether or not they achieve that will likely depend on how quickly both digest Miami's playbook, and how they perform in the exhibition season. Coach Mike McDaniel has been known to elevate rookie tailbacks up the depth chart quickly, going back to his days as the run game coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, so don't be surprised if Gordon finds a role in the backfield rotation. His size (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) and physical running style could become beneficial to converting short yardage situations, which is an area the Dolphins have struggled for three seasons. From a defensive tackle standpoint, the Dolphins have benefited from plenty of rookie contributors over the years. But most have gotten off to slow starts. Christian Wilkins, a first-round pick in 2019, recorded 56 tackles, two sacks, forced a fumble and recovered one in the 729 defensive snaps he played in 16 games. However, that 2019 defense was a disaster considering that was Miami's tanking season. Davon Godchaux, a fifth round pick from the 2017 draft class, was the rookie contributor on the defensive line before Wilkins' arrival. Godchaux, who is entering his ninth NFL season with the New Orleans Saints projected as a starter, contributed 40 tackles and forced one fumble in the 500 snaps he played over 15 games. It should be pointed out that he only started five of those games in the final season where Ndamukong Suh was with the Dolphins. There was also Raekwon Davis, a second round pick in 2020, who contributed 40 tackles in the 539 snaps he played over 16 games (12 starts). Davis started 48 games for the Dolphins over the next four seasons, but never contributed more than the 40 tackles he recorded as a rookie, and has produced just two career sacks. As for offensive linemen drafted by the Dolphins this decade, they've had varying outcomes. But few of them thrived as rookies. Laremy Tunsil is the one immediate success story. He served as the starting left guard on one of Miami's better offensive lines in 2016 before moving to left tackle the next season. Tunsil, whom the Dolphins traded to Houston in 2019 for a treasure chest of draft picks and players, has been selected to five Pro Bowls, and is expected to serve as the Washington Commanders' starting left tackle. Since then Isaac Asiata (a 2017 fifth-round pick), Michael Dieter (a 2019 third-round pick), Austin Jackson (a 2020 first-round pick), Robert Hunt (a second-round pick in 2020), Solomon Kindley (a fourth-rounder in 2020), Liam Eichenberg (a second rounder in 2021), Larnel Coleman (seventh-rounder in 2021), Ryan Hayes (seven-rounder in 2023), and Patrick Paul (second-rounder in 2024) have all struggled. Jackson, who started at left tackle as a rookie and was eventually moved to left guard his second season because of his struggles, eventually settled in as a productive starting right tackle. But his blossoming took place in his third season. Hunt was the closest to an immediate success, and is having the most impressive career of the nine offensive linemen drafted since 2017. Eichenberg has struggled in most of his 52 starts for the Dolphins the past four seasons. It explains why he's started games at all five positions on Miami's offensive line, but he seems to be settling in as a valued backup. Paul was groomed all last season to replace Terron Armstead as Miami's starting left tackle, but the 337 offensive snaps he logged on the field as a rookie produced an uneven performance. Miami's hope is that Paul, who is 6-foot-7, 332 pounds, will blossom in his second NFL season as he begins to settle in at left tackle.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins draft rewind: Miami boosts DL with Michigan DT Kenneth Grant
With the No. 13 overall selection, the Miami Dolphins selected Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 331-pound defensive tackle arrives in South Beach with expectations aplenty. Grant was a third-team All-American in 2024 with Michigan after tallying 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups and 32 tackles. Grant notched five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during the 2023 campaign in Ann Arbor en route to second-team All-Big Ten honors that season. The nose tackle is expected to help morph the Dolphins' run defense straight away. Will he continue to fine-tune his pass-rushing acumen as well? Let's revisit the Dolphins' first-round choice, the reaction to the selection of Grant and what we've heard since: Miami Dolphins DT Kenneth Grant Stats: 69 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception in 41 games played What the Dolphins said after drafting Kenneth Grant "I think the most exciting part of really adding him is you love players that are good players that make other people better players and continue to ascend to have the desire to be great. I think (he) affects the run game, affects the pass game, affects the pocket. 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. "That in conjunction with some of the things that we'll be able to do from a defensive standpoint based upon utilizing the skill set in the run game as well where you can play various light boxes at times and have versatility, as well as a guy that can draw some attention from some other really good players. Either way, we feel like 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 on with elation," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said of selecting Grant in April. Kenneth Grant's comments on joining the Dolphins "I fit in great. It's a similar, kind of the same scheme as my previous school. Some things are a little bit different, but I think I can wreak havoc in the backfield, run and pass game. Draw attention so another teammate, now Zach Sieler, gets some sacks and I'll still too," Grant said. Who Kenneth Grant may emulate in the NFL During his time at the NFL Combine, Grant shared a pair of potential NFL comparisons for himself. "I think Vita Vea, he's just a wrecking ball. He causes havoc in the backfield. Dexter Lawrence, great technique. He also comes of the ball in the one technique, zero technique. I think I got a little mixture of everybody, to be honest. I can do everything," Grant said. How NFL experts graded the Kenneth Grant selection A number of NFL experts shared their grades and thoughts on the Dolphins drafting Grant. While opinions varied, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco was among those that really liked the pick by Miami. Prisco awarded a B+ grade for the Dolphins' selection. "The Dolphins had to get an interior defensive lineman and Grant fits in perfectly. He is a big, power player who can line up next to Zach Sieler. I like this pick for a team desperate for defensive line help." Dolphins' mandatory minicamp update Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel updated Grant's progress during Miami's June mandatory minicamp. "First and foremost out the gate, it was early on, I could tell he had the respect and regard of his veteran teammates by the little things that he does understanding the importance of his role on the team. He came in with a veteran-like understanding of needing to be 100 percent on what he's asked to do – his technique and fundamentals – and he works endlessly. "So you're hitting a home run with the team when a first-round draft pick comes in with that mindset so we can work with that and veterans know you can count on that. There's been ebbs and flows like for every rookie, but what I've seen from him, I've seen early-down production where he wins based on technique and fundamentals early in the snap, and I've seen late-down wins where he's straining and utilizing grit and finish to make plays as well. He's got a lot of work to do. Every day is important. However, super happy that he's on our team and not somebody else's, and I know a lot of players that share the locker room with him would agree with that, too," McDaniel said.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins' 2025 First-Round Pick Predicted To Be a Bust
Dolphins' 2025 First-Round Pick Predicted To Be a Bust originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kenneth Grant, the hulking 6'4", 331lb defensive tackle hailing from the University of Michigan, went 13th overall to the Miami Dolphins in the 2025 NFL Draft. Advertisement While he brings impressive size and run-stopping prowess, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski includes him in a cautionary list of first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft who could end up being disappointments in their rookie seasons, implying that he might be a bust. Sobleski's piece emphasizes that not every "flashy" first-round pick will pan out, and Grant is among those who might struggle to live up to expectations early in their pro careers "Grant has an uphill battle to climb as this year's 13th overall pick," Sobleski said. "He's a nose tackle by trade, and most won't appreciate his primary job of taking up space and keeping his teammates clean so they can make plays." Miami Dolphins first-round pick Kenneth Grant holding up his jersey (1) at his post-draft press conference on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Miami Habib / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Another big component that factored into Sobleski labeling Grant as what can best be called a potential bust, at least in the upcoming NFL season, is how high Grant was picked. You rarely see nose tackles taken at No. 13 overall, which puts big expectations on the rookie. Advertisement "A nose tackle drafted that high in the process better be the next Dexter Lawrence or Haloti Ngata," Sobleski said. Grant brings game-altering potential as a powerful interior defender and flashed pass rushing capabilities in college. His ceiling has never been in question, but his immediate readiness and fit as a perceived "space-eater" at No. 13 is raising red flags. When training camp and then preseason begins the world will get a better picture of how Grant should be expected to perform come the regular season. Related: Dolphins' Young CB Entering Make-Or-Break Year This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins Kenneth Grant warned to slow down at rookie minicamp
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins defensive coaches Anthony Weaver and Austin Clark warned first-round draft pick Kenneth Grant to slow down at the start of rookie minicamp. Grant a defensive tackle, wants to bring high energy and make an instant impact. Advertisement "Yeah, I'm for sure going to put my foot down and you know show people what I'm about," Grant said. But... but... but... "What coach (Mike) McDaniel was talking about is there's a right way to practice and right way to do things to not get hurt," Grant said. Weaver, the Dolphins' defensive coordinator, and Clark, the defensive line coach, have fabulous track records of developing impact linemen. Their message to Grant? Take this as it comes. "Everything's coming fast at you," Grant said. "But just focus on today, what you control today and defeat today." Miami Dolphins' Kenneth Grant takes message from Zach Sieler Grant has an excellent mentor in veteran Zach Sieler. Grant said Sieler has already addressed the entire Dolphins team. Advertisement "I wanna be one of those players he's looking to count on," Grant said of Sieler. What's the veteran messaging to the defensive front? "I mean we've got to set the standard, we've got to set the tone every day, you know, every day in practice, every game, you know, whatever it is, we're the tone setters," Grant said. "We've got to, you know, come out and show everybody what we're about." Miami Dolphins' top two picks debut at rookie minicamp The Dolphins added massive trench warriors Grant in the first round and guard Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round. This team wants to be bigger and stronger and tougher and more physical in 2025. Advertisement "Playing to my strengths and not playing to my weaknesses," Grant said of the plan. "They brought me in here because they saw something in my game that, you know, can translate to the NFL and to this team and it's very useful for this team. So whatever the coach wants me to do, I'm going to do it." Kenneth Grant of the Miami Dolphins made his on-field debut at rookie minicamp. The Dolphins are trying to take a precise, disciplined approach to this season after missing the playoffs in 2024. "I'm a culture changer," Grant said. "I come from a winning culture. Obviously the NFL is different. But I kind of know what (winning's) like." Miami Dolphins' Jonah Savaiinaea: Honored to wear Terron Armstead's 72 Advertisement Miami Dolphins' Zach Sieler: Feelings on pending Jalen Ramsey trade revealed Everything to know: Miami Dolphins 2025 schedule release Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@ and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Kenneth Grant out to prove Zach Sieler can 'count on' him
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins' Kenneth Grant Calls Himself 'A Culture Changer' Ahead of Rookie Minicamp
The Miami Dolphins went into the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear need along the defensive line. With their first-round pick, at 13th overall, the Dolphins selected Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. Ahead of the first practice as a member of the Dolphins organization, Grant was interviewed by reporters. Grant shared a strong message on his mindset as a member of the Dolphins. Advertisement "They brought me in here because they saw something in my game that translates to the NFL ... me personally - I'm a culture changer," Grant said, per ESPN reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques. Grant calls himself a "culture changer" and sends a strong message to his new team. Coming in as a rookie and having that level of confidence in yourself is an excellent sign for the Dolphins' new defensive tackle. Coming off an impressive 2024 season at Michigan, Grant was getting first-round buzz. He had been getting a lot of attention not just for his play, but also for his size and athleticism. Grant is 6-foot-4 and 344 pounds, and if he had done the NFL Scouting Combine, scouts believed he would've put together an impressive showing. Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (DL12) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Lee-Imagn Images In 2024, Grant was named a third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-Big Ten. He had 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks to go with five pass breakups. Advertisement His production as a defensive tackle was among the best in the 2025 draft class, and he was drafted only behind his college teammates, Mason Graham, among all the defensive tackles. There is a lot of pressure on Grant to produce right away. The Dolphins needed defensive line help badly, and Grant is meant to solve that issue. It's a lot on the plate for Grant in his first year, but his strong message to get ahead of his first practice as a member of the Dolphins instills confidence in his ability to thrive in that role. Related: Dolphins Sign Former Long-Time Patriots Special Teamer Related: Dolphins Trade Idea Nets Eight-Interception Buccaneers Cornerback
