Chris Perkins: Dolphins rookie Kenneth Grant under tremendous pressure months before his first game

MIAMI GARDENS — Kenneth Grant, the former Michigan run-stuffing nose tackle/defensive tackle who the Miami Dolphins made their first-round pick on Thursday, is tasked with a pressure-filled demand before his NFL career sees its first snap.

Grant, to bluntly put things in perspective, is required to be a rock star on a veteran-laden team.

Grant, an imposing figure at 6 foot 4, 331 pounds, must anchor the most important draft class in the three-year era of Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel.

In fact, it’s not a stretch to think that Grant, depending on his rookie season performance, could save the jobs of Grier and McDaniel — or cost them their jobs.

So, yeah, you could say there’s pressure on the rookie.

Welcome to the NFL.

Grant, for the record, doesn’t think the pressure will consume him. He thinks he can be a difference-maker.

“I’m a culture-changer for sure,” Grant said during Friday evening’s introductory new conference.

Some analysts think Grant was drafted too high at No. 13, that he should have gone somewhere in the 20s, perhaps.

At first, Grant said he disregards critics. But he added he’ll use that as fuel.

“Who doesn’t want to use that as fuel?” he asked.

Grant thinks he’s a good fit for the Dolphins’ 3-4 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

“I fit in great … some things are a little bit different, but I think I can wreak havoc in the backfield, run and pass game,” Grant said. “Draw attention so another teammate, now Zach Sieler, gets some sacks and I’ll still, too.”

Grant, of course, was part of a group that got the job done at Michigan, going from being oh-so-close to winning the national title in 2023. So he has a taste of being successful in such a transition.

He said the lessons at Michigan will translate to the NFL, especially on big lesson.

“You can’t take a day off because if you take a day off that’s another opportunity for another team to get better so you always want to be on your Ps and Qs and bring it every day,” he said.

Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick DT Kenneth Grant | PHOTOS

Regardless, Grant’s task gets tougher when you consider the second and third rounds is where Grier’s drafts usually fall off a bit recently.

Consider the names.

Guard Liam Eichenberg and tight end Hunter Long, a pair of 2021 second- and third-round picks; linebacker Channing Tindall, the 2022 third-round pick; cornerback Cam Smith, the 2023 second-round pick. 

If that trend holds true for the 2025 draft, there’s even more pressure on Grant to play well and make Grier and McDaniel look good.

It should be noted that Grant, as a recent first-round pick under Grier, has a decent chance for success.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips were 2021 first-round picks. Edge rusher Chop Robinson was a 2024 first-round pick. They’re all pretty good. So there’s a good chance Grant meets the challenge.

Among Grant’s biggest enemies will be those drafted after he was selected.

Penn State tight end Kyle Warren, who went No. 14 to Indianapolis, one pick after Grant.

Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen who went No. 16 to Arizona.

North Dakota State guard-tackle Grey Zabel, who went No. 18 to Seattle.

Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, who went No. 20 to Seattle.

The Dolphins, in a draft crucial to the futures of Grier and McDaniel, bypassed these players and others to select Grant, a player many analysts think was over-drafted at No. 13.

Grant, for his own sake and the sake of Grier and McDaniel, can’t allow them to be correct. He must prove them wrong.

Grant’s versatility will help.

“Just being versatile, that’s the biggest impact that you can make,” Grant said. “Me being able to play from the 0, 1, 2, 3, playing all those techniques, I think I can play all of those pretty good.”

Let’s hope so.

About two weeks ago my colleague, Dave Hyde, pointed out 10 notable poor Dolphins draft-day choices that had lasting consequences. 

Two of those choices — Waddle over Detroit right tackle Penei Sewell, and Tindall over Kansas City linebacker Leo Chanal — were made in the Grier/McDaniel era.

Grant can’t go on that list.

Grier and McDaniel won’t survive.

This is the second consecutive year the Dolphins have used their first-round pick on a defensive lineman. Last year it was Robinson, selected at No. 21. He had a strong finish to his rookie season to end with 6.0 sacks.

Grant will be required to play just as well or perhaps better than Robinson did as a rookie.

Grant, of course, won’t have similar sack numbers.

Grant’s strengths are stopping the run, commanding double teams, and occupying blockers so inside linebackers such as Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson get the glory and the stats.

Grant must be just as effective as Robinson, or better.

There’s a lot of pressure on Grant to have a strong rookie season as a prideful player, as a first-round pick, as a first-rounder for a Dolphins team that struggled to an 8-9 finish last season, and as a first-round pick on a team that’s had a tumultuous offseason.

But don’t forget there’s also a lot of pressure on Grant to have a strong rookie season as a first-rounder because Grier’s and McDaniel’s jobs might be on the line if Grant, and this draft class, don’t have a good showing.