Quiet and humble, Doran Grant lets his play on the field do all of the talking.
And last season, as Ohio State went on a memorable run to the national championship, Grant made one thing loud and clear: He’s not one to be taken lightly.
Spending time on the opponent’s best receiver as the Buckeyes’ No. 1 cornerback, Grant matched up with some of the top players in the country. Against Michigan State, he shadowed the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award winner — given to the best wide receiver in the Big Ten — Tony Lippett for the whole game. Lippett had just five catches for 64 yards in a 49-37 win for Ohio State. Against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Grant and the rest of the Buckeyes’ secondary held Fred Biletnikoff award winner Amari Cooper to nine catches for 71 yards.
Grant was arguably the biggest reason why Ohio State’s secondary went from one of the worst in the Big Ten to one of the best in the span of just one year.
As a result, Grant’s name began to surface on NFL draft boards. He’s a 5-foot-10, 200-pound corner who ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February. As it sits right now, Grant is slotted to go anywhere from the second round (although that’s not likely) to the fifth round of this weekend’s NFL Draft. Most projections have him going somewhere in the third round, though.
“I know NFL teams want leadership, they want grown men on their team, and I think I can provide that also ... I've won everywhere I've been," Grant said in February at the NFL Combine. "I feel I can contribute and help another team win.”
Here are five teams that would be a great fit for Grant somewhere in the mid-rounds based on team needs and Grant’s overall skillset.
San Diego Chargers
Where they’re picking: Third round (83rd overall); Fourth round (117th overall)
Breakdown: When guys are slated to go outside the first round, it’s really a crapshoot to predict what team they’re going to wind up on, but the Chargers make sense for Grant. San Diego needs cornerbacks as its top cover guy, Brandon Flowers, is on a one-year deal and selecting Grant in the third or fourth round makes sense.
New England Patriots
Where they’re picking: Third round (96th, 97th overall); Fourth round (101st, 131st overall)
Breakdown: The Patriots lost Darrelle Revis in the offseason and while Grant is certainly not on that level, he could develop into a long-time NFL starter. The reward certainly outweighs the risk in that situation, especially if New England takes him with one of their late third-round picks or with the second selection in the fourth round.
Philadelphia Eagles
Where they’re picking: Third round (84th overall); Fourth round (113th overall)
Breakdown: Nobody really ever knows what Chip Kelly is thinking. The Eagles do need help at corner, though, after going with a wide receiver in the first round. Grant could fit in nicely in Philadelphia and would play alongside another former Buckeye in the secondary in Malcolm Jenkins.
Carolina Panthers
Where they’re picking: Third round (89th overall); Fourth round (124th overall)
Breakdown: The Panthers still need offensive line help, but once they solidify that it's anyone's guess. Corner is a position of need and Grant could become an instant impact player for a Carolina team which is projected to start Josh Norman and Bene’ Benwikere.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Where they’re picking: Third round (87th overall); Fourth round (121st overall)
Breakdown: Longtime Steeler Ike Taylor announced his retirement earlier this month and corner seems to be Pittsburgh’s No. 1 priority after taking an outside linebacker in the first round. But if Grant is still there in the third or fourth for the Steelers to grab, they might just pull the trigger.
