Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Kenneth Grant from Michigan We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at defensive tackle, Kenneth Grant from Michigan. Kenneth Grant DTMichigan Wolverines Junior4-star recruit 6’3”339 lbs Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images History Originally from Merrillville, Indiana, Grant attended Merrillville High School where he was a standout athlete. His senior year was marked by an undefeated regular season, a feat that had not been accomplished in nearly three decades at his school. Besides football, Grant was also notable in track and field, ranking among the top 10 in shot put in school history. Known for his exceptional size and athleticism, Grant stands at 6’3” and weighs around 339 lbs. Yet his speed is remarkable for his size, running a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, which has earned him recognition on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” in 2022 and was given a four-star recruit rating. During Grant’s freshman season in 2022 he made his mark with the Michigan Wolverines, playing in all 14 games, predominantly on special teams. Although his statistical contribution was modest with eight tackles, Grant’s impact was felt through his physical presence and potential. He was often praised by Coach Jim Harbaugh and the year served as a crucial foundation for Grant, allowing him to learn and adapt to the college game behind experienced teammates like Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins. In his sophomore season, Grant emerged as a significant contributor, playing in all 15 games and earning five starts. His on-field impact was evident with 29 tackles, including five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Grant also showcased his versatility by intercepting a pass against Nebraska and breaking up five passes throughout the season. Additionally, he recovered a fumble, adding to his defensive tally. His performance was instrumental in Michigan’s national championship run, earning him a second-team All-Big Ten selection. This season was a clear demonstration of Grant’s growth and his transition from a rotational player to a pivotal part of Michigan’s defensive strategy. During his junior season, Grant solidified his status as a dominant force on Michigan’s defense, starting all 12 regular season games. He recorded 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks, displaying his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Grant also had five pass deflections and recovered two fumbles, showing his versatility and impact in different facets of the game. His performance earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive year and third-team All-American recognition. 2024 Statistics 547 Defensive Snaps32 Total Tackles7 Tackles for Loss3 Sacks22 Defensive Stops5 Pass Breakups2 Fumble Recoveries 2 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day TBC Awards All-American (2024)Second-team All-Big Ten (2024)Second-team All-Big Ten (2023) Scorecard Overall- 89.8Speed- 82Acceleration- 90Agility- 61Strength- 90Pass Rush- 79Run Defense- 88Tackling- 90Discipline- 98 THE GOOD Grant’s massive frame and strength make him a formidable presence against both the run and pass. Has a tremendous ability to anchor and reset the line of scrimmage. Despite his size, he moves with surprising fluidity, demonstrating an impressive first step and lateral agility for his weight. He’s an effective run defender, capable of occupying multiple blockers. His power allows him to disrupt plays at the point of attack. Shows off his strength in the pass rush with a solid bull rush. His quickness off the snap can disrupt quarterbacks when he plays in a penetrating role. Can play in both 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes, providing flexibility to defensive coordinators. TAPE TIME DT Kenneth GrantMichigan ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #michiganwolverines #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/czXHfoTLMw — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 6, 2025 THE BAD There are concerns about his endurance over a full NFL game. His play early in the game looks far more effective than in the fourth quarter. Needs to work on maintaining a lower pad level to maximize his leverage against NFL offensive linemen. While his flashes are impressive, he needs to show more consistent performance, especially in pass-rushing scenarios. His raw talent is undeniable, but further refinement in technique, particularly in hand usage and block deconstruction, is necessary. Relied a lot in college on overpowering his opponent with his strength. In the NFL that will be mitigated by offensive linemen who match equal in strength. TAPE TIME DT Kenneth GrantMichigan ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #michiganwolverines #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/qnMybubEXk — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 6, 2025 THE FIT Kenneth Grant has a very unique athletic profile, as such most scouts speculate he could sneak into the first round. His performance at the NFL Combine and pro days will determine a lot for Grant. He’s best suited for teams looking for a two-gap nose tackle in an odd or hybrid front, where his size and power can be maximized. He does need to enhance his stamina for the NFL’s demanding schedule, work on maintaining a lower pad level for better leverage, and increase the consistency of his performance, particularly in pass-rushing situations. His hand usage and working to expand his pass-rush move set to be less predictable is another area for improvement. Additionally, improving his balance when engaged with blockers and techniques to shed blocks more effectively are all critical areas for development to maximize his potential as a pro defender. In terms of fit for Dallas, Grant would fit well with the Dallas Cowboys due to his potential to fortify their run defense and add depth to the interior pass rush. His versatility provides flexibility along the line. His raw power and athleticism could make him a valuable pick, contributing both immediate depth and future potential. COMPARISON Dalvin Tomlinson, Cleveland Browns BTB GRADE 9th CONSENSUS RANKING 19th(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services)

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images Do you think Zack Martin will be back with the Cowboys in 2025? The Dallas Cowboys will have an interesting couple of months coming up with free agency and the NFL draft on deck. One of the biggest questions that will need to be answered is an in-house one, and that’s the future of All-Pro guard Zack Martin. It’s hard to believe, but Martin is going into his 12th season in the league, so he’s heading towards the end of his career. However, when will the end be for Martin? During his first six seasons in the league, Martin only missed two games, and both came in 2018. Over the last five years, Martin has played in just 10 games in a season twice, including this season due to back, shoulder, and ankle injuries. He was out for two games in 2023 as well and hinted last offseason that 2024 could be his swan song. The injuries are starting to pile up, and that doesn’t bode well for an older player, especially one with lower body ailments. Martin spoke earlier this week about where’s he’s at in terms of continuing his NFL career. First off, I want to try to get healthy. Here in the next month, six weeks, me and my wife have been talking about it. Right now, I’m focused on getting healthy and seeing how I feel with this ankle kind of repaired and whether or not I’m going to go out and try to go again. Martin has seen his play go down a tick over the last two seasons. As far as his entire résumé, though, he’s been a consistent player that has performed at the highest level. He has nine All-Pro selections in 11 seasons, with seven being on the first team. Also, Martin has been a model when it comes to playing the game the right way as he has only been hit with a flag for holding just seven times and only eight times for a false start. Yes, Martin has more All-Pro nods than holding and false start penalties, which is simply unreal. Unfortunately, the Cowboys haven’t always had great success on the field since Martin came on board. Although they have five NFC East titles and six playoff appearances since Martin was drafted, it’s only produced three wins in the postseason. Let’s face it, losing takes a toll on players, and it gets worse the longer they continue to play and come up short. That’s one of the things that Martin has to consider as well as his health going forward. I think I’ve done a nice job in my career to really focus on what I was doing at that time throughout my career, and that’s what I’m trying to do now. Still trying to figure out what the next chapter in my life looks like, whether that be playing football here in Dallas, playing football somewhere else, retiring, whatever that may be, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. If Martin does return in 2025, he’ll be playing for his third head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, who was hired a few weeks ago. Although next season will be his first as the head man, Schottenheimer will be in his fourth year with the organization. The first was spent as a coaching assistant, and the last two were as the offensive coordinator. During that time, he has built a strong relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott. With his mindset for wanting creativity, and with new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams sharing the same philosophy, the Cowboys offense should look a lot different in 2025. That has also allowed Martin to spend quite a bit of time around Schottenheimer. The former first-round pick gave his thoughts on the Cowboys’ new head coach and where he sees the Cowboys going under his leadership. I’m excited for him, man. He’s made an impression on that building the last couple of years, I think what he does really well is he does a great job of having relationships in the building with everyone, whether it be an offensive player or a defensive player. I know that’s kind of at the forefront of what he wants to bring to the organization is those relationships within the team and throughout the people who work there, and I think he’ll do a great job with that. Now, the waiting game continues for what Martin is going to do. The Cowboys would be smart to take a guard at some point in the draft regardless, but if Martin decides to hang up the cleats, that position will rise up the priority list. The next few weeks/months will be full of anxiety and anxiousness when it comes to Martin.

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images Cowboys have a target for their new offensive line coach [UPDATE]: Shortly after this article was published, it has been confirmed that the Cowboys are hiring Conor Riley as their offensive line coach. Can confirm that the Dallas Cowboys are indeed hiring Kansas State OC/OL coach Conor Riley to coach the oline on Brian Schottenheimer’s staff.Another highly touted get for Schotty — Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 7, 2025 The Dallas Cowboys still have holes to fill on Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff, and a big one is the offensive line coach. A report today has Dallas targeting Kansas State offensive coordinator Conor Riley, who was the Wildcats’ o-line coach from 2019-2023. One of his top players during that run was Cooper Beebe, the Cowboys’ second-year interior lineman. A Division II lineman himself for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Riley immediately became an assistant coach there and eventually moved into Division I. He coached tight ends and fullbacks in 2013 at North Dakota State, then became their offensive line coach and run game coordinator through 2018. SOURCES: The Dallas Cowboys are targeting K-State OC/O-line coach Conor Riley to become their new offensive line coach. Riley is one of the most respected O-line coaches in college football amongst his peers. — Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 7, 2025 Between all of Riley’s stops, Cooper Beebe would seem to be his best contribution to the pros. Taken in the third round of last year’s draft, Beebe was considered by many to be a steal when Dallas got him. The Cowboys used the 73rd overall pick, acquired in a first-round trade down with the Lions, to add Beebe to their rebuilding offensive line. Beebe started all but one game as Dallas’ new center in 2024, having to sit out in December after a concussion. Unlike first-round pick Tyler Guyton at left tackle, Beebe hit the ground running and improved as the season went along. While we’re not entirely sure if it will still be at center or moving to guard, Beebe is sure to continue as a starter this year. The Cowboys are looking to reemphasize the run in their 2025 offense, evidenced by the promotion of Brian Schottenheimer to head coach and hiring Cardinals o-line coach Klayton Adams as their new offensive coordinator. One of the only running backs they have under contract right now, Deuce Vaughn, is another K-State graduate who worked closely with Riley and had success. We’ll see if this reported interest leads to a hire, but it makes sense given Conor Riley’s connection to some current Cowboys players and his reputation. The business of roster changes is soon to come, so getting the coaching staff finalized is the current top priority in Dallas.

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images The Cowboys don’t need Jeanty to succeed on the ground The Dallas Cowboys are firmly committed to improving their run game in 2025. Brian Schottenheimer brought it up a few times in his introductory press conference, and the hiring of Cardinals offensive line coach Klayton Adams to be the offensive coordinator – a few days after Stephen Jones stressed the importance of run schemes – cements that focus. Of course, one takeaway from the Cowboys’ recent moves revolve around the running back position. Rico Dowdle broke 1,000 rushing yards on the season, but his contract is set to expire and the expectation is he’ll at least test the free agency market. That leaves a hole at running back, which many believe Schottenheimer and Adams will seek to fill by drafting Boise State star Ashton Jeanty with the 12th overall pick. On the contrary, though, the hiring of Adams suggests the exact opposite. The Cardinals enjoyed one of the league’s best run games the last two years, but much of it came down to the creativity of Adams and his offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, in the way they designed their run game. The focus on pulling blockers freed up plenty of room to run, making it easier on running back James Conner. Conner, who served as a bellcow for the Cardinals, helped finish top 10 in rushing each of his two years with Adams coaching the offensive line. Conner himself was a third-round pick back in 2017, starting his career with the Steelers and primarily working as part of a rotation. While he had been productive, topping 700 rushing yards in four of his first six seasons, Conner didn’t cross the 1,000 yard mark until Petzing and Adams arrived. Conner initially came to the Cardinals (pre-dating the current coaching staff) on a cheap one-year deal. Arizona then re-signed him to a three-year extension that paid him an average of just $7 million, about the middle of the running back market at the time. He received another extension heading into the 2024 season, upping his annual average to $9.5 million. Even with that pay bump, Conner is outside of the top five at his position and his total contract value ranks 13th. Prior to Adams joining the Cardinals, he spent four seasons under Frank Reich with the Colts. There, he also was part of a run game that didn’t require heavy investments at the running back position. Indianapolis finished top 10 in rushing in three of those years, with one season featuring a trio of Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins, and Jonathan Williams (none of whom are still in the NFL) while they later found great success with second-round rookie Jonathan Taylor. Adams’ mentor in Arizona, Petzing, also has a track record of success without major investments in the position. Petzing is a long time disciple of Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, whose offense has put up great rushing totals with the likes of Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Demetric Felton, Jerome Ford, and Pierre Strong Jr. None of those runners were first-round picks, and only Chubb has been paid significant money. Even so, Chubb has never been in the top five in annual average at his position. Of course, there’s also the fact that the last two players to rush for 1,000 yards in Dallas – Dowdle and Tony Pollard – were not high draft picks and also were not paid top-market money. In fact, the Cowboys have had six players top 1,000 yards in a season since the Emmitt Smith days, and the Cowboys used a first-round pick on exactly one of them: Ezekiel Elliott. The organization itself has proven exactly what Adams has witnessed firsthand: you don’t need to invest heavily into the running back position to have a great run game. Between Schottenheimer and Adams, the Cowboys can build a scheme that will make any running back look good. While that includes Jeanty, there is no reason to spend such premium draft capital on him when the Cowboys have other glaring needs that could be addressed in the first round.

Scott Galvin-Imagn Images The latest buzz around the Dallas Cowboys all in one place. Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons claims he would take less money on new deal to play with Myles Garrett – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports Myles Garrett recently requested a trade from the Browns and Micah Parsons would be ecstatic to play along side him in Dallas. Parsons, 25, would “100%” take less money on his new contract in order for Dallas to trade and extend Garrett, who is 29. That would give the Cowboys the NFL’s sacks leader (Garrett with 60.0 sacks) and the league’s fifth-ranked player in sacks (Parsons with 52.5) since Parsons entered the NFL as the 12th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones would need to promptly extend Garrett shortly after acquiring him via trade because the four-time First Team All-Pro doesn’t have any guaranteed salary remaining on the final two seasons, 2025 and 2026, of his current five-year, $125 million contract. Parsons is willing to take a smaller amount of money on his first non-rookie deal contract in the NFL to play alongside Garrett along the Dallas defensive line with one catch: he needs to be making slightly more than Garrett. “Oh, 100%. Yeah, 100%” Parsons said when asked if he would take pay cut for the Cowboys to acquire Garrett. “Will he take less too?… We would definitely have to make that happen. … As long as he [Jerry Jones] let me be a little higher [paid] than him [Garrett]. … I’m younger. … He [Garrett] want to be with us too. … I do alright [off the field as a Cowboy]. I do [want to win].” Ashton Jeanty: ‘It would be special’ to play for Cowboys – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty talked to the media about the possibility of being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. “I think it would be dope, a lot of great people there, a lot of talented players,” Jeanty said about what it would mean to be a Cowboy. “Potentially to be a part of that, I think that would be a great opportunity.” Jeanty’s football journey has taken him all over the world, from learning the game at a field on a military base in Italy to finishing as the runner up for the Heisman Trophy after an electric season in Boise, Idaho after running for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. In between that time, Jeanty was a standout player at Frisco Lone Star high school, a 15-minute drive from the Cowboys’ headquarters. Simply put, having a chance to return home and play for the Cowboys would be an opportunity that Jeanty would relish the entire time. “It would be special, growing up in Frisco, spending a lot of time out there, I think it would be cool to have the star on my helmet again,” Jeanty said. “Playing for Lone Star, I had a star on my helmet as well, so it would be a dope moment if that were to happen.” If that dream does in fact become reality in April, Jeanty will be tasked with helping elevate a Cowboys run game that struggled at various times last season. The good news is that when new head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive scheme is working it’s best, it’s because of a strong run game. Kellen Moore has high praise for new Cowboys HC Brian Schotteheimer – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated During Super Bowl interviews, former Cowboys OC Kellen Moore shared his opinion on the new head coach in Dallas. When asked about Dallas’ new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, Moore had nothing but praise for his former colleague. The two worked together for one season in 2022 when Schottenheimer was a coaching analyst. “Schotty’s a great person, loved my year working with him, obviously we connected a lot just as far as the game plans…” Moore said, via DallasCowboys.com. “Schotty was phenomenal for me, and he’ll be great for Dak [Prescott] and all those guys.” Everyone who has spoken about Schotteheimer has had high praise. There was even a report that Mike McCarthy helped Schotteheimer prepare for his interview with Jerry Jones. That says a lot about the respect McCarthy has for the man who would eventually replace him. Cowboys add two assistants to Brian Schottenheimer coaching staff – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com The 2025 Cowboys’ coaching staff continues to take shape as they add Bryan Bing as the new assistant defensive line coach and Tiquan Underwood as the new assistant wide receivers coach. Bing joins a growing list of assistant coaches who spent time in Chicago with former Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus, the latter returning to the Cowboys as defensive coordinator in 2025, and though they didn’t cross paths in Indianapolis, Bing did have a stint with the Colts recently as well. He’ll report directly to Aaron Whitecotton, hired away only days ago from the New York Jets as defensive line coach. Underwood, a former NFL receiver who found his way to the league as a draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009, spent several seasons as a player for multiple clubs, including a stretch in the CFL, before beginning his coaching career in 2018 — one that would eventually lead him to being named assistant wide receivers coach of the New England Patriots in 2024. His expertise as a former player should go a long way in aiding in the development of young talent like Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo and the like — the title of wide receivers coach, determining who Underwood will be assisting, to be awarded to a candidate soon. Jimmy Johnson on a missed three-peat, Schotty hire, Cowboys’ roster needs, and more – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com Jimmy Johnson recently chimed in to share his two cents on the new head coach for the Cowboys. “I wish Brian all the luck in the world,” Johnson said. “I texted him the other day

Photo by Bob Leverone/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images Darren Woodson was left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for another year. Another year has come and gone and the disappointment remains the same. Darren Woodson was once again left out of a Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Jared Allen Sterling Sharpe Eric Allen Antonio Gates — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2025 Overall a four-man class is an interesting move for the HOF. Jared Allen and Antonio Gates have always felt like locks, but it is a bit surprising that Sterling Sharpe made his way in. It should be clear to all that Woodson was an integral part of how the Cowboys played defense throughout their 1990s dynasty. His positional versatility and talent to play everywhere in the secondary was a key reason why the Cowboys were able to have the success that he did. It has never made sense as to why Woodson has been excluded from Canton. Perhaps the voters still hold back his lack of specific numbers or statistics at one position or the other. This is holding an immense talent that Woodson had against him which is illogical. Unfortunately Darren Woodson’s wait continues.