Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Detroit Lions would get a big boost to their interior defensive line with the addition of Kenneth Grant in the 2025 NFL Draft. Note: This article kicks off our 2025 NFL Draft preview series, where our staff makes the ir case for several different candidates for the Detroit Lions’ 28th overall pick. Are you surprised I want to see a Michigan Wolverine in the Honolulu blue? Thankfully, one of the biggest needs for the Detroit Lions heading into the 2025 NFL Draft is help in the trenches on the defensive line. While a majority of the focus is on the defensive end spot, and understandably so, you can’t ignore the interior defensive line being a need as well. Grant would give this defensive line a big boost to the interior pressure, which in turn will help the edge rushers get to the quarterback. We saw how the interior defensive line pressure can be important in Super Bowl 59 when the Philadelphia Eagles defensive line just had their way with the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line. The Eagles got six sacks, half of them coming from their defensive tackles. Grant is coming off of a solid junior season for Michigan football. He was a part of the 2023 National Championship team that had to deal with a lot of off-the-field noise as well, so he has been able to block out the distractions and focus on football and come out on top. Let’s get into why I believe the Detroit Lions should draft Kenneth Grant in the 2025 NFL Draft. Collegiate History Heading into college, Grant was getting a lot of hype from his head coach, Jim Harbaugh, as he called him a “gift from the football gods“ and The Athletics Bruce Feldman had Grant on his “Freaks“ series as a freshman and a junior. Despite all the hype, Grant didn’t do too much his freshman year, playing mostly special teams, but finished with only eight tackles. Grant became a starter in 2023, and that is when he started to showcase why he was hyped up the year before. Grant finished second-team All-Big Ten, with 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and even an interception. He finished the year with an 80.4 PFF grade, ranking him 32nd among defensive linemen. While Grant and the Wolverines couldn’t repeat as champions in 2024, Grant continued to succeed. He was again a second-team All-Big Ten player and finished as a third-team All-American, getting 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five pass deflections, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He improved with his PFF grade, moving up to 17th with an 83.7 grade. In his three years at Michigan, Grant played defensive tackle and nose tackle, giving him flexibility of where he can play in the NFL. Players strengths Nothing stands out more for Grant than his quickness for a man of his size. At the NFL Combine, Grant measured out at 6-foot-3 and 331 pounds, and at his pro day, Grant ran a 5.13 40-yard dash. While that time might seem slow, he is quick on the field and can push himself to another level if needed. Watch the videos below and tell me what other defensive tackles can do this at his size because there aren’t many. I guarantee they show this clip of Kenneth Grant when he gets drafted in April 〽️In previous 2 seasons at Michigan:- 8 sacks- 50 pressures- 39 run stops- 87.5 Run D grade in 2024He is 6'3", 340 pounds and moves like a running back pic.twitter.com/WFFIsD1aIr— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 24, 2025 Everyone seems surprised by Kenneth Grant’s blazing speed running down Kaytron Allen, but I’m old enough to remember when he chased Sainristil down the field on that pick 6 for an epic block. 78 is a force pic.twitter.com/s8Q0h4Tjfa— 〽️ichelle (@Michellek4040) November 14, 2023 When on the field, Grant can do whatever you need him to do as a defensive lineman. You need someone to just bullrush and get to the passer? Grant can do that. You need someone to quickly make a stop against a running back, Grant can swiftly move around a center or tackle with his arms and get right to the backfield. He isn’t a one-trick pony either, he can make a play in a variety of ways. #Michigan iDL Kenneth Grant vs. Ohio St.If you’re betting on his potential, this is the tape you turn on. Disruptive strength at the POA. pic.twitter.com/LCk4pCEKcq— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) December 2, 2024 What makes him tough to go up against isn’t just his quickness and speed but his hand use. He is constantly disruptive with his hands and doing his best to get past the linemen to finish his job. He isn’t afraid to put a paw up and knock a pass down. He doesn’t give up easily either. While his motor isn’t the highest, he isn’t someone to throw in the towel when he loses a rep. He will give it his all the next play up and make them earn it. Michigan DT Kenneth Grant: 87.5 run defense grade in 2024 2024 All-American 23 hurries at DT Elite power, low center of gravity, refined hands Ran a 4.9 at 360 lbsNot enough people talking about him as an option for the #Bears at No. 10 pic.twitter.com/f9juRIj5Cx— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) February 16, 2025 What did help him out in college was the talent that was around him on the defensive line at Michigan. He played next to projected top-10 pick Mason Graham, and that duo of Grant and Graham was one of, if not the best, defensive tackle duo in college football. He also played alongside players like Josaiah Stewart and Mike Morris at the edge position to help generate pressure with him. Grant was still seeing double teams, mostly due to his size and athleticism, and it wouldn’t matter because he could still break through and finish the job. Kenneth Grant is a MENACE at the center of a defense.He constantly draws double teams but has still managed 8 sacks, 50 pressures, and 39 run stops in the last two seasons.He’s all of 6’3, 342lbs and is an INCREDIBLE athlete at that size. Could end up a top 10 pick. pic.twitter.com/ugjrmahM6Z— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 31, 2025 Grant also can line up at either defensive tackle or nose tackle. His versatility gives teams options of where they can move him along the defensive line. At Michigan, Grant played 734 snaps at defensive tackle, and 300 at nose tackle. While he is projected to be a better nose tackle in the NFL, he has double the production at your standard defensive tackle position so he can slide in that role just fine. How Does Grant Fit? The Lions will most likely be without starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill for the start of the season. That means DJ Reader must find a new teammate to work next to him until McNeill returns, and Grant is the perfect fit. While Levi Onwuzurike had a career year last season, can he replicate the same success? Could he play more edge than tackle? Meanwhile, Brodric Martin is struggling to justify a roster spot. Nose tackle Roy Lopez is a starter and could contribute as well, but I think he is supposed to be a body fo when Reader needs a break, not for him to start alongside him. Second-year defensive tackle Mehki Wingo could see more playing time, but coming off a torn meniscus, it might be tougher for him to battle. The only two players under contract at defensive tackle past 2025 are McNeill and Wingo. The team needs younger talent at the position, alongside something cheaper and longer than a one-year deal. Grant gives you all of that and some flexibility. Grant could play alongside Reader while McNeill is out, and when McNeill returns, he can sub in for McNeill or Reader. With his experience at nose tackle, Grant could step into that role when Reader’s contract is up after the 2025 season. Grant also has an interest in playing for the Lions already, as he told the media at the NFL Combine that the Lions quizzed him well. So, with the team already meeting with him, and Grant putting out into the media that he would like to play for the Lions, it might just be a perfect match. Overall, Grant would be a strong addition to the Lions’ 2025 roster. His ability to get to the quarterback or stop the running back quickly with his movements is something else. He would help the interior line continue to get pressure on the quarterback, and with his size, he might draw a few double teams, which can help defensive end Aidan Hutchinson get free a few times. Grant would give the Lions a true argument for the best defensive line in the NFL. ...read more read less