The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive front has been a topic of discussion this offseason, with many wondering how the team’s newest addition, defensive tackle Keanu Benton, will fit into the mix. According to Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo, Benton’s role on the team is still unclear.
“I just don’t know how Keanu Benton fits in the Steelers’ defensive front,” Fittipaldo said in a recent interview. “He’s a talented player, but I’m not sure where he fits in the team’s scheme.”
Benton, a fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Wisconsin, was expected to provide depth and competition to the Steelers’ defensive line. However, with the team already having a crowded defensive front, it’s unclear where Benton will fit in.
The Steelers’ defensive line is led by veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who has been a stalwart on the team’s defense for years. The team also has a number of other talented defensive linemen, including Chris Wormley, Larry Ogunjobi, and Isaiahh Loudermilk.
With so many talented players already on the roster, it’s unclear where Benton will fit in. Fittipaldo believes that Benton may struggle to find playing time, at least early on in the season.
“I think Benton is going to have a tough time finding playing time, at least early on,” Fittipaldo said. “The Steelers have a lot of talented defensive linemen, and it’s going to be tough for Benton to crack the rotation.”
Despite the challenges Benton may face, Fittipaldo believes that the young defensive tackle has a lot of potential. He’s a talented player who was highly productive in college, and he has the size and strength to be a dominant force in the NFL.
“I think Benton has a lot of potential,” Fittipaldo said. “He’s a talented player who was highly productive in college. He’s got the size and strength to be a dominant force in the NFL, and I think he’s going to be a player to watch in the future.”
For now, however, it’s unclear where Benton will fit in the Steelers’ defensive front. The team will likely use training camp and the preseason to sort out its defensive line rotation, and Benton will have to compete with the team’s other defensive linemen for playing time.
Steelers’ Defensive Line Depth Chart
The Steelers’ defensive line depth chart is currently as follows:
Defensive tackle: Cameron Heyward, Chris Wormley, Larry Ogunjobi, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Keanu Benton
Defensive end: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Malik Reed
The Steelers will likely use a rotation of defensive linemen to keep players fresh and to create matchup problems for opposing offenses. Benton will have to compete with the team’s other defensive linemen for playing time, but he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to the team’s defense.
