2025 NFL draft: Top prospect on defense falls to Bills in mock from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
Mel Kiper Jr. sees the Buffalo Bills addressing their defensive front in his latest 2025 NFL draft mock following the first wave of free agency this offseason.
When the free agent market opened, the Bills did convince a few interesting names to head to Buffalo. At the top of the list is pass rusher Joey Bosa.
Despite Bosa signing and Greg Rousseau landing an extension from the Bills, the defensive front in Buffalo does still have one spot that could be addressed. That's the direction Kiper goes in.
Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant from Michigan is the selection at the No. 30 overall spot that is currently held by the Bills at this year's draft.
While Ed Oliver is slated to have DaQuan Jones starting next to him again in the middle of Buffalo's defensive line, the Bills could stand to find a long-term space-eating tackle next to Oliver. Grant profiles as exactly that and most mock drafts this spring have Grant off the board well before Buffalo's pick.
In 12 games in 2024, Grant had three sacks, five passes defended, 32 tackles including seven for loss. Pro Football Focus graded Grant a positive 83.7 mark for his efforts last season.
Kiper's breakdown on Grant to the Bills can be found below:
Buffalo should be eyeing the cornerbacks in this class, assuming it doesn't bring back free agent Rasul Douglas, who is still unsigned. But with Jahdae Barron, Azareye'h Thomas and Maxwell Hairston coming off the board in the previous six picks of this mock draft, the Bills probably would have to pivot. Perhaps they look at Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III to give quarterback Josh Allen another run-after-catch ace. But I'm going with Grant.
This 6-foot-4, 331-pound run stopper fits well in the middle of Buffalo's defensive line with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Grant can push the pocket from inside too. He had three sacks and 17 pressures in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: NFL draft: Top defense prospect to Bills in ESPN Mel Kiper Jr. mock
Topics
-
NFL mock draft roundup: Comparing Daniel Jeremiah, Mel Kiper's post-free agency mocks
The first wave of free agency is over, and draft experts Daniel Jeremiah and Mel Kiper Jr. have released their latest mock drafts.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Daniel Jeremiah joins Mel Kiper in mocking Shedeur Sanders to New York Giants
Daniel Jeremiah agrees with Mel Kiper Jr. and believes the New York Giants will select QB Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Mel Kiper Jr. sends Jets popular prospect in post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft
A fit for the Jets:Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Where is Abdul Carter in Mel Kiper's updated mock draft?
Mel Kiper knocks Abdul Carter down in his updated mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Seahawks select powerful offensive linemen in latest 2025 NFL mock draft
The Seattle Seahawks select a powerful offensive linemen prospect in this latest 2025 NFL mock draft scenario.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Top offensive line prospect falls to Colts in post-free agency mock draft
In a post-free agency mock draft, a top offensive line prospect falls to the Indianapolis Colts.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
49ers prioritize keeping franchise QB upright in new Mel Kiper draft predictions
Mel Kiper has a potential steal for the 49ers on the offensive line in his latest Round 1 mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Top sleeper prospects for the Steelers in the 2025 NFL draft
Our favorite late-round options for the Steelers in the 2025 NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
2025 NFL mock draft: Bears strengthen the trenches at No. 10
In Daniel Jeremiah's latest 2025 NFL mock draft, the Bears land a top offensive lineman at 10th overall.Yahoo Sports - 9h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
2025 March Madness: Best names to use for NCAA Tournament bracket pools
There's still time to submit your NCAA Tournament brackets. Here are the best names for your pools.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Ex-Augusta National employee gets 1 year in prison for theft of Arnold Palmer green jacket, Masters memorabilia
Richard Globensky admitted to stealing various items from an Augusta National warehouse over the course of 13 years.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Premier League prize money — How much is each table position worth?
How much do Premier League clubs earn from television broadcast deals and for where they finish in the league table?Yahoo Sports - 12m -
12-run inning leads Arkansas past Oral Roberts
The No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks (20-2, 2-1 SEC) earned a dominant 16-0 seven-inning run rule shutout of Oral Roberts (12-8, 1-2 Summit League) on Wednesday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Brewers settle their shortstop situation by moving Joey Ortiz over from third base
The Brewers were pondering whether to give the job to Ortiz or have Brice Turang move over from second base.Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Robinson among USMNT trio ruled out for CNL
The U.S. men's national team will be without Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso, Fulham defender Antonee Robinson and Celtic center back Auston Trusty for the Concacaf Nations League finals.ESPN - 8m -
Poch: 'Big mistake' for USMNT to focus on politics
U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino dismissed the political overtones surrounding the Concacaf Nations League finals, calling it a "big mistake" for his team to discuss politics.ESPN - 8m -
López, Dumornay, Shaw lead best U21 women's soccer players
Welcome to the next generation of women's stars aged 21 or under, with representatives from the NWSL, WSL and across Europe.ESPN - 8m -
Chelsea's Bronze: Autism works 'in my advantage'
Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze said her autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have helped her become a better player, having been diagnosed in 2021.ESPN - 8m -
Pro-rel coming to U.S. soccer for 1st time in USL
United Soccer League (USL) club owners voted on Wednesday for a promotion and relegation system, marking the first time the European-style system would be implemented in the United States.ESPN - 8m