Dolphins’ top pick Grant makes early impression on defensive line
From the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Kenneth Grant is already turning heads. Selected No. 13 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, the rookie defensive tackle has wasted no time proving his value to the Dolphins.
With the departures of Calais Campbell and Da’Shawn Hand this offseason, Miami’s front office made it clear: the defensive line needed reinforcements. Grant was their answer.
“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,” head coach Mike McDaniel said during minicamp. “He came in with a veteran-like understanding of needing to be 100% on what he’s asked to do — his technique and fundamentals — and he works endlessly.”
That work ethic was honed over three years at the University of Michigan, where Grant played in 41 games and finished his junior season with seven tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Known for his power and quickness off the snap, he was a consistent presence on the Wolverines’ top-ranked defense and a key contributor in their national championship run.
Now, his toughest battles are coming not on college game days, but during the daily grind of training camp — especially in 1-on-1 drills against fellow rookie Jonah Savaiinaea, the Dolphins’ second-round pick out of the University of Arizona.
Savaiinaea, a 320-pound offensive tackle, was taken No. 37 overall and is expected to be a long-term fixture on Miami’s offensive line. He’s also serving as the perfect counterbalance to Grant in practice, providing a physical and technical challenge that has quickly elevated both players’ performance.
Earlier this week, Grant turned heads after walking Savaiinaea back several yards in a 1-on-1 drill. It’s the kind of clash that McDaniel said he loves to see — iron sharpening iron.
“Every rep, every mental rep, every physical rep, is going to be a battle,” Grant said. “So we both know that. But at the end of the day, we’re trying to help each other, even though we’re on different sides of the ball.”
Their on-field rivalry has quickly turned into a mutual motivator. The pair now compete off the field, too — joking about who can show up earliest and leave latest from practice each day. That drive to outwork each other has set the tone for Miami’s rookie class.
“KG isn’t even close to me!” Savaiinaea said with a laugh after practice.
But on a more serious note, the rookie tackle acknowledged how valuable their daily competition has become.
“Same draft class as I, and just being out there on the field with him, I don’t take that lightly,” Savaiinaea said. “You know, going against a person like him — he’s trying to get better, so he’s expecting 100% from me. So every time I get to go against him, I’m making sure I’m bringing my all so we can both get better and get ready for the season.”
Together, they’re setting the foundation for what the Dolphins hope will be a new era— on opposite sides of the line, but on parallel paths.
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM.
