Steelers All 90: Is Keeanu Benton Missing Piece for DL?

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Keeanu Benton in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft because he fit the profile of what Mike Tomlin wanted on his defense. Tomlin told Benton in the predraft process that he wants “goons” for the defense and Benton felt like he fit that role perfectly.

“Talking to Coach Tomlin, the main thing I had taken away from that was that he wants goons out there and he wants somebody to come out there who’s not afraid to get their nose dirty and I feel like I am that best option for that guy,” Benton said.

A “goon” for Tomlin is not a dirty player that will cause internal problems for the team but is a player that plays angrily and is not afraid to do the dirty work along the defensive line. That almost perfectly describes what a nose tackle is and their role on a defense which Benton is, a prototypical nose tackle. Tomlin clarified why the team thought so highly of Benton and why they think that he can fill that role on the defense.

“We have to play with a certain collective demeanor. But we’ve also got to play and play to win and that means not beating yourself. So that means bringing a certain level of intellect to the physicality.” Tomlin said. “You guys know he’s a sharp guy. He conducts business with you guys every day and does it at a very high level, but to be able to do those things and play the game with a certain edge, a certain demeanor, is things that we covet.”

RELATED: Steelers Sign NT Keeanu Benton to Rookie Contract

After Benton arrived in Pittsburgh after the draft, he started impressing the coaches immediately with his size, speed, and power. Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar gave some insight into what they are planning to do with the Wisconsin product in 2023 which is to man the nose position.

“That’s all, just the nose,” Dunbar said. “And he works over the guards when we go to our (sub-packages), but he’s working at nose tackle. That’s where we are looking to put him, but he’s athletic enough to play the 4i or the 3-technique. But we’re going to work him in at nose because he’s 6-3 1/2, 315 (pounds), just as big as Cam (Heyward) and Larry (Ogunjobi). If we get those three big suckers on the field, we’re going to be OK.”

Fellow defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was impressed with the rookie’s power through mandatory minicamp, even calling him a “dancing bear.” This was a comparison that Dunbar could agree with due to Benton’s hand power and agility.

“Yes, he is. Yes, he is. Because he has some heavy hands and understands how to use his body,” Dunbar said. “He has a wrestling background, so he understands how to torque his body and how to torque people. I just love to see it.”

Benton is likely to start behind Montravius Adams on the team’s depth chart at nose tackle but with the investment that the team made in Benton, he will have a chance to win the job through training camp and the preseason. In addition, Benton is more of a true-nose tackle than Adams. By the end of the season, Benton will be a main fixture along the defensive line alongside Cam Heyward and Ogunjobi.

95 • Keeanu Benton, Defensive Tackle, Wisconsin
6-foot-4, 315 pounds, 22 years old, 1st Season

Acquired: The Steelers drafted Benton out of the University of Wisconsin with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (95) celebrates a quarterback sack during an NCAA college football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Sat., Nov. 19, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Badgers won 15-14. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

Last season: As a senior at Wisconsin, Benton enjoyed his best collegiate season to date. He started all 12 games at nose tackle and recorded 35 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two passes defended. Seven of his 10 tackles for loss and four of his sacks came in the team’s final four games of the season. Benton recorded a season-high two sacks in a game against Illinois. Following the season, Benton was named third-team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches.

Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (95) during an NCAA college football game against the Maryland Terrapins, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 23-10. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

College: Benton left high school as a three-star recruit and decided to continue his football career at the University of Wisconsin. As a true freshman, Benton appeared in 13 games and made six starts at the nose tackle position for the Badgers. He made 12 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2019. One of his two sacks came against the Ohio State University in the Big Ten Championship.

In 2020, Benton played in seven games and started five of them for Wisconsin. As the nose tackle, Benton tallied eight combined tackles and forced two fumbles. Benton had a season-high four tackles and a forced fumble in the team’s season opener against Illinois.

As a junior in 2021, Benton stepped into the full-time starting nose tackle role as he started all 13 of the Badgers’ games in the center of the defensive line. He finished the season with 25 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Benton had a career-high six tackles and two sacks against Minnesota. Following the 2021 season, Benton was named second-team All-Big Ten.

In his Badgers career, Benton appeared in 45 games and recorded 36 of those contests. In his time in Madison, Benton totaled 80 combined tackles, 19 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles.

Salary cap and future: Benton is entering the first year of his standard four-year rookie contract with the Steelers. In his first year, he will cost $1.33 million against the team’s cap space. Of his 2023 cap hit, $750,000 is in base salary while $583,295 is bonus money.

Benton is signed with the Steelers through the end of the 2026 season when he will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

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