Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kenneth Grant had a rough rookie season, losing the starting job, but he continued to carve out a consistent rotational role. Grant recorded 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and two sacks across 17 games, including five starts, and accounted for 554 defensive snaps, the second-most at the position on the team. He also posted 29 pressures, a 7% pass-rush win rate, a 57.6 pass-rush grade, 17 run stops, an 8% stop rate, and a 41.2 run defense grade.
In his second season and first year with Jeff Hafley, Grant will compete for a starting spot against Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers, alongside reliable veteran Zach Sieler. Additionally, he has lost 7 pounds this offseason, from 337 to 330, and hopes to lose 5 more to reach 325.
The Miami Dolphins have high hopes for the ex-1st-round pick
Jun 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (78) stretching during mini camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Isabella Frias-Imagn Images
During last week’s press conference, Jeff Hafley was asked about Kenneth Grant entering his second season, as reported by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. The head coach said the defensive tackle has taken a step forward this offseason, largely due to his weight loss. Hafley noted that Grant is faster and more closely resembles his 2024 tape during his final collegiate season with the Michigan Wolverines, when he displayed his lateral quickness, pass-rush ability, and run defense. He also added that he feels better prepared and more confident than during his rough rookie campaign.
“I think he’s taken a step forward,” Hafley said, via Alper. “I know he’s changed his body. He’s faster. He looks more like the guy I saw on his college tape, with his lateral quickness, his pass rush ability, his ability to play the run. Just the way he’s moving. I think that goes back to Year 1 — Lack of experience, lack of reps, lack of maybe a little confidence as you’re out there. Right now, he’s starting to believe in his abilities that we know that he has. Hopefully once pads come in, we’ll see that continue.”
He feels more explosive
“I certainly do feel it on the field,” Grant said. “I went about things, just eating the right stuff, training the right way. No more combine training, so that was kind of a good thing. But just focusing on being intentional on my nutrition.
“Just focusing on really just squatting more, things like that, just working on explosive, jumping more, just training, I guess you could say like that, but also training on the sled over there, just, you know, getting comfortable and used to that before we arrive for OTAs.”