The Pittsburgh Steelers have an expensive defense that is loaded with stars and playmakers on each level. With perhaps one of the best front fours in all of football, the franchise could be using the draft to bolster the line in 2023. With a lot of young stars available in the draft, which player could the organization take a defensive lineman in the upcoming draft throughout the first three rounds?
Travis Bell / Sideline Carolina
Steelers Prospect Bryan Bresee
Round 1 - Steelers Select: Bryan Bresee
Bryan Bresee is a top defensive line prospect that could be targeted by Pittsburgh in the upcoming draft. Bresee played along side Myles Murphy for the University of Clemson in 2022, making up one of the most feared front fours in all of college football. Bresee has received a first round grade measuring at 6'6" and weighing in just shy of 300 pounds
The Steelers have reportedly loved Bryan Bresee through the whole draft process, and it is easy to see why. He is ferocious on the defensive line and like Cameron Heyward, has the ability to handle double teams and maintain inside gap presence.
This mauler has had some injury's in the past including an ACL tear in 2021 and shoulder surgery in 2022, but he has been cleared and the upside to eat up space in the middle for elite edge rushers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith leaves potential for the franchise to jump at the opportunity to draft him.
Matt Freed Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Pittsburgh Defensive End Calijah Kancey (8) celebrates a sack against North Carolina at Heinz Field in 2021
Round 2: Calijah Kancey
Calijah Kancey comes from next door to the Steelers where he played the same position as the great Aaron Donald at the University of Pittsburgh. Just like Donald, Kancey is undersized at his position and only 6'1". Also like Donald, Kancey is a dynamic playmaker in the middle and a feared pass rusher.
He had 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in his two starting seasons at the Pittsburgh. Kancey has a nose for getting after and attacking the ball when he is in the backfield. After receiving no top 30 visits, would the Steelers be wishing they took this player with pick 32, or even pick 49 if he is available?
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Keeanu Benton (#95) celebrates a turnover in Madison, Wisconsin.
Round 3: Keeanu Benton
Keeanu Benton was seen as only a prolific run stopper up until the 2022 season; however, he has done nothing but improve over his years in college football. The big man in the middle, from the University of Wisconsin (which is the alma mater of the Watt brothers), has improved in all facets of his game, specifically getting to the passer.
The old high school wrestler finds great ways to get leverage on the line, specifically on the inside. He is able to get to the passer or stop the run at the line. He is not as explosive or quick as some of the other players that received higher prospect grades than him. But, if you are looking for a tough nose tackle to get the job done and do his job, Benton is a dream.
Do you think the Steelers should use a draft pick on the defensive line? Which round would you want them to use it? Let us know in the comments below or on twitter.
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