Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is among the most dominant prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Grant is a big and athletic interior defensive line prospect whose first-step quickness allows him to place consistent pressure in backfields. Explosive movement skills are present for the 6-foot-4, 331-pound defender.
The No. 20 overall prospect in our latest Draft Network 100 update, Grant is an elite run defender with pass-rushing upside for a nose tackle of his size. Grant recorded 6.5 sacks over the previous two campaigns. Violent hands paired with short-area foot quickness gain him access to quarterbacks.
Michigan's Pro Day is on Mar. 21. It will allow NFL scouts another opportunity to assess Grant. Grant should continue establishing himself as a first-round pick. We've identified three ideal fits in the 2025 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have made sweeping changes to their defensive tackle position this offseason. Maliek Collins, who led them in snaps in 2024, was released from his contract. So was previous big-money addition Javon Hargrave, who was a high-end starter when healthy.
Kevin Givens and Jordan Elliott now sit atop the depth chart. General manager John Lynch hasn't acquired a single player at defensive tackle in free agency. Givens and Elliott are league-average players at best. After also releasing Leonard Floyd, depth just isn't present throughout this defensive line. Nick Bosa is a one-man band as things stand. Drafting Grant would add an interior presence while freeing up Bosa on the edges.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to historic contract extensions with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. With franchise quarterback Joe Burrow also on a mammoth contract, they will field the most expensive offense in the NFL. There's not a lot of money left over for defensive additions, making it imperative to build that unit through the draft.
The Bengals were terrible on defense last season, forcing a change at defensive coordinator. New play-caller Al Golden also lost Sam Hubbard to retirement and Sheldon Rankins was a salary cap sacrifice. Kris Jenkins should take a developmental step forward, and B.J. Hill was re-signed to a three-year contract. Cincinnati's defense needs to improve its ability to control the line of scrimmage. Grant's space-eating skill set would change their dynamic up front.
Los Angeles Chargers
The connection between Grant and the Los Angeles Chargers is pretty clear. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh spent multiple seasons coaching Grant at Michigan. They won a National Championship together in 2023. Harbaugh has since added multiple ex-Wolverines to his NFL roster. He'll also enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a pretty sizable need across the defensive line.
Morgan Fox led their defensive tackles in snaps last season and is currently a free agent. As things stand, defenders like Scott Matlock and Da'Shawn Hand are positioned for larger roles than their careers indicate they're capable of playing. The Chargers will certainly address the defensive line through the draft, especially after releasing Joey Bosa. Grant would be a natural fit in Harbaugh's defense given the sense of familiarity.
