Photo of Keeanu Benton on the field.
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6-4
Weight: 309
Hand Size: 9 3/4”
Arm Length: 33 7/8”
40-yard Dash: 4.65
10-yard Split: 1.79
Bench: 25 reps
Vertical: 29.5”
Broad Jump: 9’ 3
3-Cone Drill: 7.34*
20-yard Shuttle: 4.65
Steelers' Rationale: The Steelers needed to add youth and a run stopping force to its aging defensive line and did so with their 2nd pick in round two, Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton. Benton’s versatility endeared him to a coaching staff that values positional flexibility. Benton’s big enough to play a standard nose guard position but really is a better fit as an A Gap or B gap defender. He has experience in a hybrid 4-3 defense in Madison, acting more like a pro-style 3-4, and Benton is a proven run stopper, rated the 2nd best defensive tackle on many NFL boards.
Photo of Keeanu Benton on the field.
For a man as big as Benton, he moves well, logging a 4.65 40-yard dash and an impressive 1.79 10-yard split. He uses his size and speed to pressure the pocket up the middle but can also jam the line when asked to take on multiple blockers, clearing the lane for inside linebackers to make tackles.
Benton compares nicely to recent Steeler retiree, Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt, a former Steeler 2nd round pick himself, mirrors the size, speed and style of play of Benton, and GM, Omar Khan, expects the same kind of career from Benton.
Benton will join a rotation that will include Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and last year’s third round defensive end pick DeMarvin Leal. With Leal’s expected maturation, Benton will see spot time early on and will have great mentors in Heyward and Ogunjobi.
Photo of Keeanu Benton on the field.
Player History:
Honors and Awards
2022:
· All-Big Ten third team (coaches)
· Played and started all 12 regular season games, making 36 tackles, 10.0 TFLs and 4.5 sacks
· Totaled five tackles, three solo, at Ohio State (9/24)
· Recorded two sacks vs. Illinois (10/1)
· Made four tackles and recorded a sack vs. Maryland (11/5)
· Logged another sack, and four solo tackles, at Nebraska (11/19)
· Totaled 7.0 TFLs over the season’s final four games
2021:
· All-Big Ten second team (coaches)
· All-Big Ten honorable mention (media)
· Earned third letter, starting all 13 games at nose tackle
· Recorded 25 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks
· Forced two fumbles
· Broke up two passes
Photo of Keeanu Benton on the field.
Photo of Keeanu Benton on the field.