With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp, which is set for July 22.

Miami Dolphins rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant faces a world of pressure as a first-round pick. He’s expected to be a Day One starter and a major contributor on a defense that finished No. 4 in the league last season and No. 9 against the run.

However, Grant, the No. 13 pick from Michigan who also plays nose tackle, can take comfort in one significant fact — general manager Chris Grier’s first-round picks have done well in their careers, and many did well as rookies.

Grier has been in charge of the Dolphins drafts since 2016. In that span he’s made 11 first-round picks, including Grant. 

It’d be fair to say eight of the 10 first-rounders prior to Grant have been good selections.

The list of good first-round picks starts with left tackle Laremy Tunsil (2016) and continues with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (2018), defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (2019), quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (2020), right tackle Austin Jackson (2020), wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (2021), edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (2021) and edge rusher Chop Robinson (2024).

The two first-round picks in that span that didn’t turn out well are edge rusher Charles Harris (2017) and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (2020).

Grant already knows what’s expected from him as a Dolphins defensive lineman.

“We’ve got to set the standard,” he said. “We’ve got to set the tone every day. Every day in practice, every game, whatever it is — we’re the tone setters. We’ve got to come out and show everybody what we’re about.”

Grant, a beefy 6-foot-3, 331-pound run stuffer, joins a run defense that ranked No. 9 in the league last year and No. 7 in 2023.

He’ll join a defensive line that includes fellow tackle Zach Sieler, last year’s team MVP, and nose tackle Benito Jones. Grant joins a defensive front seven that’s completed by edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips (and Robinson) and inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson.

Although the Dolphins offense gets the publicity, the defense has finished No. 4 and No. 10 in the league, respectively, in the past two years so the standard is high. Aside from that, the secondary is relatively inexperienced save for slot cornerback Kader Kohou and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the newly re-acquired Pro Bowl safety.

So the defensive front seven has to be the play-making crew, at least early in the season. The veterans have made that clear to Grant.

“Everything we’re going to do is the highest standard,” he said. “Nothing we’re going to do is you’re half doing it. They’re trying to get me to understand that there’s a standard here and I’ve got to live up to it.”

Grant totaled 32 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss last season at Michigan, the national champion in 2023. He played alongside defensive tackle Mason Graham, the unanimous All-America who was selected No. 5 by Cleveland, and at times might have been lost in his shadow.

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But Grant was a beast in his own right. He showed he could handle double teams and use his heavy hands to create space.

One of Grant’s missives with the Dolphins is replacing defensive tackle Calais Campbell, the likely future Hall of Famer who departed for Arizona in free agency. Campbell, the runner-up to Sieler in last season’s MVP voting, was a team leader.

No one expects Grant to replace Campbell immediately, or replace him in every way. But many, including coach Mike McDaniel, are encouraged from what they saw during organized team activities and minicamp.

“There’s been ebbs and flows like for every rookie,” McDaniel said, “but what I’ve seen from him, I’ve seen early-down 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 as well.”

Grant was the first interior defensive lineman the Dolphins drafted since defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (second round) in 2020. Prior to that it was Wilkins in 2019. And prior to that it was Davon Godchaux (fifth round) and Vincent Taylor (sixth round) in 2017.

So, it turns out Grier hasn’t just drafted well in the first round, he’s also drafted well with interior defensive lineman. If you pay attention to trends, the future looks bright for Grant.

Previously addressed

With questionable Dolphins secondary, can better pass rush make up for the back end?

Can Dolphins’ Tua stay out of harm’s way and remain healthy all season?

Chris Grier, Mike McDaniel or both? Who’s on Dolphins’ hot seat entering 2025 season?

Is this Tyreek Hill’s final season with the Dolphins?

Originally Published: July 11, 2025 at 6:35 AM EDT