The Steelers selected DT Keeanu Benton out of Wisconsin with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and he fill in as the new nose tackle for the defensive line.
A position that has been a big hole on the team for some time now, and the Steelers finally invest in the position pretty high.
The Steelers haven’t had a young, long-term defensive tackle since Javon Hargrave. The fill-ins with Tyson Alualu and Montravius Adams have done the Steelers little and were short-term solutions.
A four-year starter for the Wisconsin Badgers and only 21 years of age (22 in July), Keaanu Benton brings a lot to the table for the Steelers.
He is a sneaky great fit for what the Steelers seek in a defensive tackle. His size (6’4″, 309 lbs) is significantly measurable for the position, and his frame allows him to fill gaps in the run, but he also is athletic enough to show potential as a pass rusher.
This will allow the Steelers to initially use Keeanu Benton as a two-down defender in the nose on run-downs to get his feet wet in the defense. However, that might not last as the Steelers and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin see Keeanu Benton as more than a two-down gap filler. They believe he has pass-rush upside and can see time as a three-down defender.
He’s not a two-down guy. He’s strong and can play all three downs.
Steelers DC Teryl Austin on Keeanu Benton’s playing time
Teryl Austin praised his newly acquired defensive tackle by stating that Keeanu Benton is more polished than other prospects. The Steelers view Keeanu Benton as a future centerpiece of their defense.
You match Keeanu Benton’s size with his power, intense motor, and quickness off the snap; he has the ceiling to be a great defensive lineman. He’s a disruptor versus the offensive line.
Depending on his development as a pass rusher, he could see three-downs sooner rather than later, but probably not full-time until year two or three for Keeanu Benton.
Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar has brought the best out of many defensive linemen for the Steelers for years. Keeanu Benton’s film and his run defending and QB pressure rate suggested that Keeanu Benton could be the Steelers new Javon Hargrave.
His versatility to be paired anywhere along the defensive line allows for potential mismatches for the entire defensive line. This could also allow Keeanu Benton to see time on more than just run-downs early in his NFL career.
By year three, he could be paired alongside Cam Heyward or perhaps even replace Cam Heyward further down the road if Benton progresses the way the Steelers envisioned.
The Steelers think highly of Keeanu Benton and might’ve gotten a steal selecting him at pick 49. We should all be excited to see how he’ll succeed in his early role and how he grows as a player.