Steelers Have Worrisome Problem Developing With Young Defender

The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a great job through the NFL Draft over the last two offseasons. The organization has managed to address the offensive line while also adding young players on defense that have been able to make a significant impact right away. This is one of the few factors that should make the fan base a bit optimistic moving forward, and the franchise should be able to build on that success during the 2025 NFL Draft. 

On the offensive side of the ball, linemen Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick have already paid dividends after just their rookie seasons. There is also still hope for Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. Defensively, Nick Herbig has been a rockstar filling in on the edge. 

He would be a starter for any other team in the league, but in Pittsburgh he is stuck behind the one of the best outside linebacker duos in the league. On the interior is Keeanu Benton, who has all the makings to be a great defensive lineman in the NFL, but he took a slight step backwards during his second season. Ray Fittipaldo spoke about this during a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan.

"I thought Benton, I was a little bit disappointed in his pass rush and obviously the rush defense was a big issue for whoever was in there late in the season." Fittipaldo said. "The last five games was not good, the way they got run on. The issue with Keeanu is he's an undersized nose. The way the Steelers want to play, they always want to have that value beyond your position on the defensive line. You've got to play sub-package football as well. I just don't know how Keeanu Benton fits. He's kind of a tweener, and they've had a couple of those guys recently."

Benton was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he was selected as a nose tackle. He was a nose tackle at the college level, but his 6'4", 310 pound frame makes him more of a defensive tackle or defensive end. This issue has been brought up before, with some people believing the Steelers need to sign a true nose tackle while moving Benton to the outside.

Benton had high expectations going into the 2024 season. Many believed he would be a breakout player on the defense for Pittsburgh, but that was not the case. He wasn't necessarily bad during the 2024 season, but he didn't break out like some thought he would. He may be more suited to playing somewhere else on the defensive line at the NFL level, which is something the Steelers will likely have to try during the 2025 season.

The Steelers will be relying on Benton moving forward, so he needs to show some major improvements. The defensive line for Pittsburgh is the oldest unit on the team, and Benton is a young piece within that room that needs to step up.

Steelers' Benton Played Well At Times During The 2024 Season

Benton wasn't totally bad throughout his second year in the league, but he certainly struggled with consistency. There was some speculation that he might have been dealing with some nagging injuries throughout the year, which would explain the regression that was seen. During the 2024 season, Benton recorded just one sack, an interception, six pass breakups, and eight quarterback hits. 

He was on the field more than he was during his rookie season, and his production was nearly identical to his 2023 season. Hopefully Benton reaches full health during the 2025 offseason, and the Steelers coaching staff is able to put him in position to succeed as he prepares to enter his third year in the league. He will be needed moving forward as the Steelers defense didn't look great to end the 2024 season.

What do you think about the worries regarding Benton? Let us know in the comments below!

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