Kenneth Grant — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Kenneth Grant spent his college career alongside Mason Graham, which sometimes caused his prowess to be overlooked, but he's a disruptive force on the inside as well. Plus the Ravens staff - considering Michigan has felt like a Baltimore farm system for coaches at times -- will have familiarity with him and know precisely the player they'd be getting.

Gone is Larry Ogunjobi, and Cameron Heyward, despite an inspiring 2024, will be 36 this upcoming season. Grant is inconsistent but his best football is in front of him, with strength and plugging. but also twitchiness that points to more upside as a pass rusher.

Jaxson Dart or a defensive lineman? As the Steelers sit in QB purgatory, waiting for an answer from Aaron Rodgers, this is the question that's been asked often in Pittsburgh. That sports-talk hypothetical becomes mock reality here as the Steelers stand pat at No. 21. GM Omar Khan spent first-round picks in each of the last two years on offensive tackles Broderick Jones (2023) and Troy Fautanu (2024), to go along with second-round center Zach Frazier (2024). Continuing the team's philosophy of building through the trenches, the Steelers address their most glaring hole on the roster.

The 6-4, 296-pound Grant likely projects as the nose tackle in the Steelers' 3-4 base defense, allowing Keeanu Benton to slide over to the 3-4 end position. However, because both players have some versatility, where they line up will be worked out in team development. The Steelers will try to find a veteran bridge QB in 2025, consider a QB in the mid-to-late rounds and then make an aggressive push for a first-round rookie QB in 2026. — Mike DeFabo

Grant fills a need for the Bills. They recently signed DT Larry Ogunjobi, but he's facing a six-game suspension. Grant's raw upside and athleticism are tough to pass up.

Grant is among the most talented defensive tackles in this class, but his inconsistent tape and conditioning could push him down the board slightly. I love his fit for a Buffalo defense that could use a little more girth and power inside.

Grant might have a lower floor than Graham and some other defensive tackle prospects, but he has also got tremendous upside. The Cardinals made a huge splash by signing edge rusher Josh Sweat, so drafting Grant would further strengthen their defensive front. This is a copycat league, and the Cardinals should know that players who can disrupt from the interior are valuable. Grant is that player, and he could fix their run defense issues overnight.

Buffalo should be eyeing the cornerbacks in this class, assuming it doesn't bring back free agent Rasul Douglas, who is still unsigned. But with Jahdae Barron, Azareye'h Thomas and Maxwell Hairston coming off the board in the previous six picks of this mock draft, the Bills probably would have to pivot. Perhaps they look at Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III to give quarterback Josh Allen another run-after-catch ace. But I'm going with Grant.

This 6-foot-4, 331-pound run stopper fits well in the middle of Buffalo's defensive line with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Grant can push the pocket from inside too. He had three sacks and 17 pressures in 2024.

Kenneth Grant is a physical freak who can align anywhere on the interior and still play run or pass. That's a skillset the Cardinals haven't had in the Jonathan Gannon era.

The 49ers aren't just overhauling the defensive front. They're overhauling the entire roster.

That leaves the team with no shortage of options, but the rarity of Kenneth Grant's physical ability and size makes him a hard selection to turn down. The 49ers are a blank slate at defensive tackle, with Jordan Elliott, Kalia Davis, Evan Anderson, and Kevin Givens looming as the only ones under contract.