Steelers mock draft round 2: DL Keeanu Benton
Keeanu Benton was an early draft crush of mine, and it appears as though the Steelers are equally interested in him. The former Wisconsin lineman is powerful, and that power is his standout trait. He wins by bulling opposing linemen back and disrupting the play. As well, he can take on multiple blockers and allow other defenders gaps to make plays.
The lone issue with Benton’s game is his lack of a pass rush. Outside of his bull rush, he doesn’t possess any standout moves to apply pressure. Even if that never develops, he has the makings of a great run defender. That is something this defensive line has been lacking and should be welcoming with Benton.
While he played as a nose tackle, he also has the potential to shift to the end eventually. Initially, I like him as the primary nose tackle for this defense to get him snaps. With Cameron Heyward, another year older, Benton could eventually shift to end (assuming he gets better as a pass rusher). He has an instant impact and would be a huge get for this defense.