When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected DL Keeanu Benton in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, they were looking to add an impact player for the future. Obviously, the Steelers had (and still have) Cam Heyward to lead the defensive line. But unfortunately, he won’t play forever. So they knew they needed to start building for the future.
They did their homework on Benton. Steelers scout (and former CB) Ike Taylor saw him in person at the Senior Bowl and was impressed with how a big man like the 6-4, 309-pound Benton could move. That helped make the decision to draft him in the second round, and early returns have been quite good.