The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted DL Keeanu Benton forty ninth general within the 2023 NFL Draft, and thru his first two seasons with the staff, his play has been stable but unspectacular. While you take a look at the stats alone, his manufacturing was practically an identical in 2024 in comparison with his rookie season, making 36 whole tackles with 16 solo stops and 20 assists in each seasons.
Benton had two tackles for loss final yr in comparison with one throughout his 2023 marketing campaign, however has made only one sack in both season. Benton additionally compelled two fumbles his rookie yr in comparison with zero final season. The massive distinction in manufacturing up to now for Benton has been oddly sufficient in his cross protection, batting down two passes in 2023, however managed to deflect six passes final yr whereas securing one interception. Nonetheless, for his snap rely leaping from 484 as a rookie to 641 in Yr 2, you’ll need extra manufacturing out of your DL2 behind solely Cameron Heyward on the subject of snaps performed.
Whereas Benton’s manufacturing numbers haven’t been nice by means of his first two seasons, his superior metrics counsel that his play has been higher than the stats present. Benton had a 75.7 cross rush grade final season in keeping with Professional Soccer Focus, rating him seventeenth amongst all inside defensive linemen. Conversely, Benton boasted a measly 45.3 grade towards the run, placing him at one hundred and fifty fifth at his place.
To be honest, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection as a complete struggled mightily towards the run, which most likely affected Benton’s rating. Nonetheless, Benton’s play must be higher heading into Yr 3, and he is aware of it, having given himself a C-grade this offseason on his profession to-date. The Steelers want Benton to make the leap in Yr 3 as effectively, having invested an early Day 2 decide in him, and nonetheless don’t know if he’s a long-term answer alongside the defensive position.
When Benton’s profession so far and a hopeful projection for him in his third yr within the league, there may be one other former Steeler that confronted comparable circumstances heading into his third season. That identify is Javon Hargrave, who Pittsburgh additionally drafted on Day 2 within the third spherical again in 2016. Hargrave was extra of a nostril sort out, very like Benton, however was an completed cross rusher popping out of South Carolina State. Nonetheless, by means of his first two seasons within the league, Hargrave managed to rack up simply two sacks a bit in his first two seasons whereas making an identical quantity of tackles as Benton did his first two years.
Nonetheless, issues picked up for Hargrave in his third season in 2018, beginning 14 video games whereas making 49 whole tackles (32 solo), six tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. For those who mentioned that Benton might have these numbers throughout the 2025 season, I’d join that every one day. Benton isn’t the pure cross rusher that Hargrave is, however he does present that upside as an athletic inside defender whereas additionally possessing the dimensions and play power to be a succesful run defender. He simply must hone in his consistency.
The 2025 season is a giant yr for Keenau Benton. He might be eligible for a contract extension after the season, and with Cameron Heyward within the twilight of his profession, Pittsburgh would like to maintain him round long-term if Benton’s play warrants it. He has the chance to money in massive subsequent offseason if he can take the step ahead in Yr 3, just like what Hargrave did leaving for the Philadelphia Eagles on a big-money deal in free company in 2020.
Pittsburgh simply drafted Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black so as to add extra expertise and youth alongside their defensive position, however Benton’s position is for him to pose because the Robin to Heyward’s Batman this season. The instruments are there for him to take a step ahead in play in 2025, and for Pittsburgh’s sake in addition to his checking account, each are hoping that would be the case.
