ESPN shares update on Dolphins 1st-round NFL draft pick Kenneth Grant

The Miami Dolphins addressed their defensive line with their first selection in the 2025 NFL draft, selecting Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant at No. 13 overall.

Grant was a third-team All-American in the 2024 college football season as he racked up 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and three sacks. The 6-foot-3, 331-pound defensive tackle started five games during Michigan's march to the national championship in 2023.

Grant finished with 29 tackles, six pass breakups, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interception during that 2023 campaign.

Now, Grant arrives in South Florida and will be called upon to help beef up a defensive interior that ranked ninth in the NFL in rushing defense but just 27th in sacks.

ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques updated Grant's assimilation to the Dolphins during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

Without pads, Grant has impressed with his work ethic and mentality away from the practice field. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Grant "works endlessly" at the things he's been asked to do -- a critical character trait for a first-round pick. - Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPN.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was complimentary of Grant's early returns as well.

"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 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," McDaniel said.

Grant joins a defensive line group that features Zach Sieler and edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: ESPN shares update on Dolphins 1st-round NFL draft pick Kenneth Grant