Needing an infusion of youth along the defensive line ahead of the 2023 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers targeted Keeanu Benton early on in the draft process, ultimately landing him at No. 49 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Getting the Wisconsin product into the system at nose tackle has seemingly shored up the depth in the trenches defensively, at least on paper. Based on his play in last Friday’s preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there might be even more there with Benton than just depth as originally expected from a rookie.
Seeing second-team reps behind Montravius Adams at nose tackle, Benton came into the game in the second quarter and largely wrecked the interior of Tampa Bay’s offensive line before exiting with an ankle injury.