NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
“With the 13tg pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Kennth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan.” That was the call from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the call that Dolphins fans waited up until almost 10pm (EST) to hear but was it the right one.
No doubt, Grant is a force along the defensive line. He’s a solid DT and can slow the rushing attack of opposing offenses. There’s no doubt that the Dolphins and their fans should be excited, but was it really their biggest need.
The Dolphins aren’t that far removed from looking for a replacement for star CB Xavien Howard to play opposite Jalen Ramsey. After the trade for Ramsey went down, it seemed like the Dolphins had a lock at the CB position. Fast forward a couple of years later, and now Ramsey is pushing for his exit from the Dolphins as well.
Then you have to consider deeper in the defense. Miami needed a safety to pair with Jevon Holland and swung and missed on Jordan Poyer. Now, Holland has left via free agency, and the Dolphins were willing to let Poyer walk. So far, that leaves Storm Duck and Ramsey as their projected starters. When Ramsey leaves, it’ll be Cam Smith on one side to back up Duck, and Ethan Bonner on the other with Kader Kohou as the Nickle. No offense to any of those young men, but not a single one of them is a household name that has proved they can cover the top WRs in the AFC with consistency.
Miami had success with their bend-don’t-break defense last year, but it was hardly something to write home about. Maybe the Dolphins feel like they can get Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb back to full health. If they can pair Phillips and Chubb with Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant there is no doubt plenty of power on the defensive side of the football.
A good pass rush can throw off the opponent’s timing for sure, but good teams, and playoff teams know how to get the ball out quick enough and chip away at poor coverage. Dolphins’ GM Chris Grier indicates the team is willing to be patient with their next few picks and draft with reservation but the Dolphins need to make a splash.
Grier might be comfortable with the second round of free agency looking for playmakers but he was also comfortable with his offensive line last year too and look where that got him.
The Dolphins were in desperate need of a guy who could plug some holes after losing Christian Wilkins to free agency a few years back. The team obviously feels like Kenneth Grant can fill that void. Wilkins and Zach Sieler were able to be a force on that front line. Can Sieler and Grant recreate that magic?
One thing is for sure, the Miami Dolphins are making sure they have big, strong guys in the front of their defense, but the back half is looking suspect. Did they get their first pick in the draft right, or should they have taken a defensive back?
