Why the flags on Grant and Ezeiruaku may not be all that warranted
Yesterday, ROTB editor, Seth Cox wrote a very timely post about the reported weaknesses (aka “red flags”) of this year’s top draft picks.
The reported red flags for Michigan’s 2024 3rd Team All-American defensive tackle and Boston College’s 2024 1st team All-American edge Donovan Ezeiruaku may be a tad unwarranted or misunderstood.
Kenneth Grant
26. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan – Despite his size, had poor metrics against the run. Has not shown a consistent pass rush ability, does he have the conditioning needed?
Context: The past two seasons, the Michigan Woverines have held their opponents to an average of 90 yards a game rushing: 90.0 in 2023 (#6 in USA) and 90.7 in 2024 (#5 in USA).
One of the major reasons by far as to why Michigan has been so good at stopping the run is the sheer strength and athleticism of their defensive interior, spearheaded by the All-American DT tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.
Per PFF, Kenneth Grant’s run defense grade in 2024 was a blue dot 87.5, his run stop win rate was a blue dot 7.9%. He recorded 32 tackles (27 solo), 22 stops and only 2 missed tackles (missed tackle rate of a blue dot 5.9%).
When one takes into account how often Kenneth Grant was double teamed on running plays, the fact that he got off of the double teams to make 32 tackles and 22 stops, while missing only 2 tackles, challenges the argument that he struggles defending the run.
In fact, Kenneth over the last two seasons, Grant recorded 61 tackles and 39 stops, missing a grand total of 4 tackles. This is the kind of run stopping win rate the Cardinals need and have been lacking for years.
2024 Run Defense Grades, Tackling Grades, Tackles, Tackled Missed, Missed Tackle %
- Calais Campbell, MIA —- 85.9 —- 28.9 —- 39 tackles —- 10 misses —- 28.2 missed tackle %
- Dalvin Tomlinson, CLE —- 64.2 —- 28.2 —- 36 tackles —- 7 misses —- 21.9% missed tackle %
- Dante Stills, ARI —- 64.5 —- 29.5 —- 35 tackles —- 9 misses — 20.5% missed tackle %
- Roy Lopez, ARI —- 45.0 —- 27.4 —- 30 tackles —- 9 misses —- 23.1% missed tackle %
- L.J. Collier, ARI —- 44.1 —- 29.5 —- 21 tackles —- 6 misses —- 18.2% missed tackle %
- Bilal Nichols, ARI —- 39.6 —- 39.8 —- 10 tackles —- 1 miss —- 9.1% missed tackle %
- Justin Jones, ARI —- 30.2 —- 28.3 —- 5 tackles —- 1 miss —- 16.7% missed tackle %
Kenneth Grants’ 2024 Run Defense, Tackling, Tackles, Missed Tackle Percentage
- Kenneth Grant, MICH ‘24 —- 87.5 —- 69.0 —- 32 tackles —- 2 misses —- 5.9% missed tackle %
- Kenneth Grant, MICH ‘23 —-73.0 —- 77.5 —- 29 tackles —- 2 misses —- 6.5% missed tackle %
As for Kenneth Grant’s pass rush, his pass rush win rate was a blue dot 9.4%, which is especially impressive for a nose tackle of his size at 6-3, 334 pounds.
In 2024, he produced 27 QB pressures, 3 sacks and 5 batted passes for a pass rush grade of 75.3. In 2023, 23 pressures, 5 sacks and 3 batted passes for a pass rushing grade of 78.4.
Yes, of course, there were some snaps the last two seasons where Kenneth Grant did not win his assignment the way one might expect. Sometimes his hands are late in trying to beat his man to the punch and his pad level can get a little too high. But go and watch even the best of the best, like Chris Jones, and there are stretches when you will see the same thing.
Defensive linemen are like heavyweight prize fighters. For them it’s a matter of pacing and stamina —- and stinging like a bee at the right time. Kenneth Grant is a finisher. He shows up best when the stakes are the highest.
Donovan Ezeiruaku
32. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College – Average size for the position, plays with more finesse than power and can be overwhelmed by opponents. Production has waned in his career.
Context: EZ has good size for an OLB. He is not ever going to be a 43 DE. Having watched every one of his snaps at Boston College, EZ’s pass rush is creative, multi-faceted and diverse —- a nifty toolset which allows him to get to the QB with combinations of speed, power and finesse.
But there is no finesse about him in the way he attacks the run. He sets a hard, physical edge, hold his ground like a pro even when he’s tangled up with offensive tackles, because he is able to use the strength of his long arms and rock-solid core to his advantage.
Quite frankly, I have never seen an edge player at Boston College play the run and rush the passer as well as EZ did this past year. The numbers are remarkable:
- 80 tackles —- (only 5 missed tackles, 7.2% missed tackle rate)
- 21 tackles for loss (#2 in USA) —- only 5 missed tackles, 7.2% missed tackle rate
- 42 stops
- 3 forced fumbles
- 60 QB pressures
- 16.5 sacks (#2 in USA)
EZ’s “RSWR” (run stop win rate) in 2024 was a blue dot 10.1%, which puts him tied at the top in the RSWR category among the most highly touted edge players in the 2025 NFL Draft:
2024 Run Stop Win Rate
- 10.1 % —- Donovan Ezeiruaku
- 10.1 % —- James Pierce Jr.
- 9.4 % —- Mike Green
- 9.3 % —- Landon Jackson
- 8.6 % —- Princely Unamnielen
- 7.6 % —- Mykel Williams
- 7.6 % —- Abdul Carter
- 7.3 % —- Nic Scourton
- 5.5 % —- Shemar Stewart
EZ’s Production at Boston College:
- 2021 —- 21 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3.0 sacks —- overall grade: 61.9
- 2022 —- 61 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks —- overall grade: 83.1
- 2023 —-53 tackles, 7 TFL’s, 2.0 sacks —- overall grade: 75.1
- 2024 —- 80 tackles, 21 TFLs, 16.5 sacks —- overall grade: 90.1
Career: 215 tackles, 47 TFLs, 30 sacks
There is no question that HC Bill O’Brien and DC Tim Smith, longtime NFL coaches and coordinators, helped EZ strengthen and diversify his game in 2024.
At the Senior Bowl, the coaches had EZ take some reps as a 5 technique DE. Maybe that’s where the term “overwhelmed” was applied as a red flag. As alluded to earlier, that’s not his game. He is superb in 7 and 9 techniques where he can use his speed and superior bend to win the edge.
This is why I believe EZ is made to order for the Reddick outside linebacker edge role in JG’s/NR’s defense.
Perhaps the reason why the Cardinals did not bring EZ in for a Top 30 visit was because, with Baron Browning signed for the next two seasons, JG and Nick Rallis already have a player who is aptly suited for the role.