Desert Evaluation: Cardinals Host Michigan DT Kenneth Grant for Top-30 Visit

The Arizona Cardinals continue to explore every angle of the 2025 NFL Draft process, and one of the most intriguing developments this spring is the team’s top-30 meeting with Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. Known for his brute strength, freakish athleticism, and dominance in the trenches, Grant has quietly climbed into first-round discussions. His meeting with Arizona signals that the Cardinals may be targeting more than just edge rushers or skill players as they look to fortify their defensive identity.

Kenneth Grant is not your average interior defensive lineman. At 6-foot-3 and 339 pounds, he moves with the kind of agility that defies his size. During Michigan’s dominant 2023 national championship run, Grant routinely swallowed double teams, collapsed pockets, and made life miserable for opposing offenses. His ability to anchor the defensive line and disrupt the interior was a major reason the Wolverines were so stout against both the run and the pass.

For a team like Arizona, which is still carving out its future along the defensive front, a player like Grant presents a compelling solution. The Cardinals have made strides under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort in establishing a more physical, fundamentally sound defense, but they still lack a true game-changer in the interior. Grant’s presence could change that quickly.

Arizona’s top-30 visit with Grant is important not just because of his talent, but because it gives the organization a chance to evaluate his football IQ, personality, and fit within the locker room. The Cardinals’ front office has emphasized character and coachability throughout their rebuild. Grant checks a lot of boxes in those departments. He’s widely regarded as a high-motor, team-first player who emerged as a quiet leader on one of the most disciplined defenses in college football.

While much of the national attention at Michigan was focused on edge rusher Braiden McGregor, linebacker Junior Colson, or defensive back Will Johnson, insiders knew that Kenneth Grant was the foundational piece in the middle. He played with rare leverage for a man his size and showed improved pass-rushing moves in his junior season, recording 4.5 sacks and several key pressures in big moments. But beyond the stats, it was his sheer presence that made a difference.

In today’s NFL, versatility is key, and that’s where Grant shines. Though listed as a nose tackle, he has the athleticism to line up in different spots across the line. He’s not just a two-down run-stuffer. His tape shows moments of explosive get-off on third downs, the ability to stunt and twist in pass-rush games, and the quickness to chase plays laterally. These are the traits that teams covet in modern defensive tackles—especially those running hybrid fronts like the Cardinals.

It’s also worth noting that the Cardinals’ interest in Grant may signal a philosophical shift. In recent years, Arizona has relied on smaller, quicker linemen who can penetrate gaps. But that approach has left them vulnerable to power-running teams and without a true anchor to eat up space and free up linebackers. Bringing in a player like Grant would allow Arizona to get more creative with their front seven, giving them a legitimate interior presence to build around.

What makes the top-30 visit even more compelling is the timing. The Cardinals are sitting in an advantageous spot in the draft, with multiple picks in the early rounds. While many mock drafts have them targeting a wide receiver or cornerback early, their flexibility gives them room to address the defensive line with a premium selection. Grant has been projected anywhere from late first round to early second round, making him a potential option if the Cardinals trade down or use one of their additional picks.

Beyond the Xs and Os, Grant fits the tone that Arizona is trying to set. He’s tough, no-nonsense, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. His journey to Michigan wasn’t without challenges, and he developed under a program that emphasized physicality, execution, and team play. Those values mirror what Gannon and Ossenfort have been preaching in Arizona since taking over.

There’s also the simple fact that Arizona’s run defense needs help. The Cardinals finished near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed in 2024, and though younger players like Dante Stills showed flashes, the unit lacked consistency and depth. Grant would instantly bring reliability. He’s the type of player who might not fill up the stat sheet every week, but he makes everyone around him better.

Scouts who have studied Grant praise his blend of power and finesse. He has violent hands, a wide base, and an understanding of how to use his frame to control gaps. But he’s also quick off the snap and shows an ability to read blocking schemes in real time. That’s the kind of technical skill that helps a rookie transition quickly to the NFL.

His visit with the Cardinals likely included a breakdown of game film, whiteboard sessions with coaches, and in-depth conversations with the team’s player development and medical staff. Arizona, like every team, takes these visits seriously—not just to gauge physical readiness but to determine if a prospect fits their locker room culture. From all accounts, Grant made a strong impression.

One possible outcome of the meeting is that Arizona now views Grant as a key second-tier target in this draft. If they go skill position early, perhaps at wide receiver or cornerback, Grant could be the focal point in the back half of round one or early in round two. Alternatively, if a trade-down scenario plays out, Grant might become a surprise pick for the Cardinals earlier than expected.

There’s also the benefit of positional scarcity. The 2025 class is deep at wide receiver and solid in the secondary, but true interior defensive linemen with Grant’s ceiling are harder to find. Teams are always on the lookout for difference-makers in the trenches, and with Grant still ascending as a player, his best football may be ahead of him.

For Cardinals fans, the meeting should be encouraging. It signals that the front office is doing its homework and not overlooking the less glamorous positions that often make or break defenses. Building a successful team in the NFL starts in the trenches, and Kenneth Grant might be the kind of player who anchors a unit for the next decade.

Of course, there’s still plenty of time between now and the draft, and much can change. Other teams are also lining up to bring Grant in for visits, and his stock could rise further with strong interviews and pro-day workouts. But the fact that Arizona got him in the building is significant.

It suggests that the Cardinals are serious about reshaping the identity of their defense. It suggests they’re paying attention to the value of foundational players. And it suggests that if Kenneth Grant ends up donning the red and white come draft night, it won’t be a surprise—it’ll be the result of careful planning and smart scouting.

In a league where defensive tackles don’t always get the headlines, Kenneth Grant is making a quiet, forceful case to be one of the most impactful players in this draft. And in the Arizona desert, he may have just found a home that values what he brings to the table.