Bills again linked to massive Michigan DT in Mel Kiper's Round 1 mock draft

The Buffalo Bills may have the opportunity to add a potential franchise DT at No. 30 overall in the NFL Draft

Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) tackles USC running back Woody Marks (4) during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills need extra beef on their defensive line interior, and original draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. seemingly recognizes it.

Buffalo added defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi on a one-year free-agent contract, but he won't be available until Week 7 due to a six-game PED suspension. As for a long-term solution at the position, the Bills may be best served investing a first-round draft pick there.

In his March 18 mock draft, ESPN's Kiper projected Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant to Buffalo at No. 30 overall. Grant is the third DT off the board in this simulation. Mason Graham was the first taken at No. 5 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"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," said Kiper.

Feb 26, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (DL12) on the SiriusXM radio set during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The longtime draft analyst explained how the Bills wound up with Grant in his most recent mock-up.

RELATED: Bills' free-agent DL additions fail to impress Sports Illustrated graders

"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," said Kiper.

Grant was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection and a three-year contributor for Michigan. He reportedly met with the Bills at the NFL Combine, and has been a suggested fit for Buffalo in multiple prominent mock drafts.

Oct 5, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates a missed field goal by the Washington Huskies, topic during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Bills' All-Pro linebacker agrees to pay cut, creates salary cap relief

• Former Bills first-rounder takes shot at Buffalo for 'backseat' experience

• Bills lose free agent DE to Texans as edge rusher makeover continues

• Former Bills WR's sage advice to Buffalo-bound cousin Joey Bosa

• Bills land among elite in NFL power rankings after first wave of free agency