Forward of his third NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton has settled into the nostril sort out function underneath defensive position coach Karl Dunbar.
Although there are questions on his total match there from a scheme and elegance standpoint, Dunbar has been adamant that Benton is a nostril sort out.
Coming off an up-and-down second season in Pittsburgh, a giant third season awaits for Benton. However for former NFL GM Doug Whaley, who appeared on 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Present Wednesday, he’s nonetheless at “a loss” of simply how Benton matches within the Steelers’ protection — and within the NFL typically.
“I simply don’t see the cross rush there,” Whaley mentioned of Benton, discussing his inventory down gamers on the Steelers, based on audio through 93.7 The Fan. “And he hasn’t stepped up and been stout towards the run like we thought he was going to be. And that’s was his namesake and his calling card coming for out of school was.”
By his first two NFL seasons, Benton has simply two sacks and three whole tackles for loss. In 641 pass-rush reps, Benton has simply 44 pressures, based on Professional Soccer Focus. He’s flashed at occasions with some velocity and energy on the inside, however it’s been too far and few between.
Popping out of school Benton’s calling card was run protection, and at occasions he’s been sturdy in that side of his recreation. However final season he declined in a dramatic approach towards the run, grading out at only a 45.3 total in that space. Although he improved in run stops with 21, up from 16 as a rookie, he was pushed round an excessive amount of and wasn’t pretty much as good stopping the run.
His physique has undergone a change this offseason, based on Dunbar, which may assist him play higher at nostril sort out within the Steelers’ protection. However coming into 12 months 3 there are extra questions than solutions with Benton. The flashes want to show into consistency, each as a run defender and as a cross rusher.
It’ll assist that he ought to see extra snaps in sub-package soccer with Larry Ogunjobi being launched within the offseason and rookie first-round decide Derrick Harmon needing to rise up to hurry within the NFL. With extra sub-package snaps comes extra alternatives to provide, particularly as a cross rusher.
If Benton can do this, he’ll reply a variety of questions for guys like Whaley. The Steelers actually appear to love him, particularly Dunbar, and that’s all that issues.
