The Detroit Lions shored up the middle of their defensive line during the 2024 offseason when the team inked veteran D.J. Reader to a two-year deal.
The signing was a bit risky at the time, as Reader was coming off another serious injury. After a slow start, the 30-year-old has gotten better as the season has progressed and is proving to be an asset for the defense.
Detroit is going to need even more out of Reader moving forward, though, as fellow defensive lineman Alim McNeill is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 15.
While Reader figures to stick around for at least the final year of his deal in 2025, the future isn't certain beyond that, as Reader will be a free agent in 2026. The Lions may want to start planning ahead as a result.
With that in mind, Pro Football Network's Brett Hoffman sees the Lions taking a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and more specifically, Michigan's Kenneth Grant.
Kenneth Grant is poised to tackle a critical issue for the Detroit Lions’ defensive line. Having been a linchpin for Michigan’s defense alongside Mason Graham over the last few seasons, Grant has consistently overwhelmed opponents. His aggressive bull-rush technique allows him to swiftly collapse the pocket, pressuring quarterbacks into making quick decisions.
While his primary strength is stopping the run, Grant’s toolkit and technique suggests he has the potential to develop into an effective NFL pass rusher.
Grant is a better run defender than a pass-rusher, but he can still make an impact in the latter area, as evidenced by his 6.5 sacks over the last three years. He has also tallied 12 tackles for loss in that span.
With Reader set to turn 31 next year, there's no telling what the future holds for him. Adding to that, with McNeill now having to come back from a serious knee injury, the Lions may want to give themselves more options for 2025.
That's why adding Grant at the end of the first round run makes sense.
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