The Pittsburgh Steelers found a gem in rookie NT Keeanu Benton. Steadily improving throughout the year, he has the look and feel of the next great Pittsburgh defensive lineman. He’s strong. He’s athletic. He uses his hands well, runs to the football, and by all accounts, works hard and goes about the game the right way.
But something weird is happening with him. Since Montravius Adams has been out of the lineup, Benton has stepped in and stepped up as the team’s starting nose tackle, the man in the middle of the team’s 3-4 defense. But his role beyond that has continually been shrinking.