Tag: Keeanu Benton

2 Steelers defenders named to All-Breakout team

Keeanu Benton and Joey Porter Jr. both made Bucky Brooks’ All-Breakout team.

Looking over the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, there are several young players who we are expecting huge things from in the upcoming season. Two of those young players made the cut on NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks All-Breakout team.

Brooks listed defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. as defenders on his squad. Benton and Porter were both second-round picks for the Steelers in the 2023 NFL draft.

Porter came on stronger as a rookie and finished as one of the best young cornerbacks in the league. Benton saw more limited reps and while he didn’t light up the boxscore, his skills are evident, and he could rack up the numbers in a full-time role.

If the Steelers are going to be successful, it will mean both of these players improve over last season. Porter has a chance to ascend to a truly elite coverage player. For Benton, it is more about maximizing his reps. The Steelers use a heavy rotation of players up front so Benton needs as many winning reps as possible, especially on passing downs.

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Steelers land in Top 10 of PFF defensive line rankings

The Steelers defensive front is among the best in the NFL again this season.

Historically, the strength of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been upfront. Stout, versatile defensive linemen who can move around their 3-4 front and edge defenders who can rush the passer, drop into coverage and set the edge.

Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 NFL defensive lines and for the Steelers, they have them at No. 8 based on last season. Here’s what they had to say about their ranking of the Steelers:

T.J. Watt is one of the most consistent playmakers in the league when it comes to pass-rushers, and he’s not a one-man-band on this defensive line. Alex Highsmith on the other side has developed into an outstanding player in his own right, earning a 90.3 PFF grade last season with 69 quarterback pressures.

Cameron Heyward has been outstanding for so long, but last season was the first sign that perhaps age is catching up with him. If he bounces back, the Steelers will be even better than this ranking.

While we agree that Heyward may not return to form this season after his injury and age but we are definitely not going to bet against him. Especially with a new contract in the mix. You add in Keeanu Benton with another year under his belt and this group has a chance to be special and far outplay this ranking.

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Steelers DT Keeanu Benton makes PFF All-Breakout team

Keeanu Benton looks like he’s going to be a special player for the Steelers.

The centerpiece of the Pittsburgh Steelers 3-4 defense is the defensive line. Outside linebacker gets all the attention but when the Steelers defense is at its best, they are winning in the trenches.

Last season, the Steelers drafted the next great Pittsburgh defensive tackle in Keeanu Benton. Benton started nine games in 2023 and finished with 36 tackles and one sack. Not exactly jaw-dropping numbers but the potential he flashed was enough for Benton to make the Pro Football Focus All-Breakout defensive team for 2024.

Benton finished 2023 with a 74.8 grade on Pro Football Focus. This was the fourth-highest grade on the Steelers defense and the highest grade by any defensive lineman.

If there is any player on the Steelers who is poised to take the league by storm it’s Benton. We think he’s got Pro Bowl and All-Pro potential if a few things fall right this season.

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Former Wisconsin DL picked by ProFootballFocus to break out in 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin DL picked for breakout season by ProFootballFocus

Former Wisconsin and current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton was included on the ProFootballFocus 2024 NFL All-Breakout Defense by Gordon McGuinness on Friday.

The group also included Green Bay Packers DL Karl Brooks, Atlanta Falcons edge Arnold Ebiketie, Seattle Seahawks edge Boye Mafe, Baltimore Ravens LB Trenton Simpson, Dallas Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown, Chicago Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson, Minnesota Vikings CB Mekhi Blackmon, Buffalo Bills CB Christian Benford, Cincinnati Bengals S Jordan Battle and Kansas City Chiefs S Chamarri Conner.

Related: Wisconsin class of 2025 vaults up national rankings after addition of four-star WR Eugene Hilton Jr.

Benton earns this honor as he enters his second NFL season. His rookie campaign in Pittsburgh included 36 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hits, 1.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections and an overall PFF grade of 74.8.

The former second-round pick capped off a stellar college career by being Wisconsin’s best defensive player in 2022. His four-year collegiate tenure included 80 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble.

The rising star is projected to start for the Steelers at nose tackle in 2024 as he looks to further establish his role at the NFL level.

It’s safe to say Wisconsin dearly missed Benton’s presence during the 2023 season. His on-field, off-field splits were severe during what was a rocky 2022 season. The Badgers are still searching for his replacement along the defensive line and although there is some top-end high school talent entering the program, it enters 2024 without a Benton-like presence in the middle of the defensive line.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

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Quick Steelers takeaways from Art Rooney II’s interview

Art Rooney talked about the Steelers 2023 season and looked ahead to 2024.

On Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II did a sit down with Rob King and discussed the 2023 season and looked ahead to the 2024 season. Here are the quick highlights from the interview.

Grading every rookie from Steelers 2023 NFL draft class

Here are grades for every rookie in the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 draft class, including Joey Porter Jr. and Broderick Jones.

2023 was the first Pittsburgh Steelers rookie class built by general manager Omar Khan, As is the norm in the NFL, rookies get very little time to get acclimated before being thrust into a significant role but the Steelers were able to handle their rookie class just right. Here are our grades for the Steelers rookies.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin heaps praise on Keeanu Benton

Mike Tomlin expects Keeanu Benton to dominate.

During his end-of-the-season press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin handed out some evaluations of several players on the roster. One player he didn’t hesitate to heap praise on was defensive tackle Keeanu Benton. Benton was one of the Steelers two second-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft.

“He’s really talented,” Benton said. “I think he’s capable of being dominant – and sooner rather than later.”

Benton’s rookie season went down a lot like fellow rookie Broderick Jones at offensive tackle. The coaches eased Benton into the defensive line rotation before finally settling in and starting nine games. It was never about the box score for Benton as he only finished with 36 tackles and a single sack but his ability to be disruptive in the backfield was evident.

The Steelers have some decisions to make about the defensive line but listening to Tomlin talk he has high expectations for Benton in the 2024 season.

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Steelers name rookie Keeanu Benton starter at nose tackle

The Steelers have officially named NT Keeanu Benton starter over Montravius Adams.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers updated its official depth chart and made one key adjustment. Rookie nose tackle Keeanu Benton has been officially listed as the starter ahead of Montravius Adams.

Benton has developed quickly while Adams has been dealing with an injury and more than earned the right to get the bulk of the snaps. Benton has been a real bright spot on defense in a season where there hasn’t been a whole lot to be excited about. He’s far more than just a big run-stuffing nose tackle and provides a nice pass rush up the middle with his burst.

Benton currently has a 74.9 grade with Pro Football Focus which puts him consistently among the Top 10 rookies in the NFL.

This week the Steelers travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts clinging to the slimmest of playoff hopes.

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Previewing Kansas City’s Week 13 game vs. Packers on Chiefs Wire Podcast

On the latest episode of @TheChiefsWire podcast: @EdEastonJr’s chats w/ #Steelers rookie Keeanu Benton & managing editor John Dillon #KCvsGB

We’re back with an all-new episode of the Chiefs Wire podcast! This week, we’re previewing the Kansas City Chiefs Week 13 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Chiefs Wire managing editor John Dillon provided his opinion on the team this season as they gear up for the postseason run. We check in with this past week’s press conferences featuring comments from the Chiefs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Rashee Rice, and head coach Andy Reid shared their thoughts on last week’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

We also flashback to Ed Easton Jr.’s NFL Draft Combine conversation with Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Keeanu Benton. He discusses his appreciation for former Wisconsin teammate and friend Leo Chenal’s Super Bowl LVII victory.

Listeners can look forward to being well-informed about the Chiefs’ mindset following their Week 12 victory over the Raiders and anticipation for this Sunday night’s visit to Lambeau Field.

Check out the link below to get your fill of Chiefs talk ahead of Sunday’s kickoff:

T.J. Watt is ‘super excited’ about what’s to come for Steelers rookie defender

T.J. Watt is a pretty good judge of talent, so when he talks about the performance of his Steelers teammates, you listen.

T.J. Watt is a pretty good judge of talent, so when he talks about the performance of Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, you listen.

“Kid plays hard. And he’s a big guy that can move really well, and he continues to get better week in and week out,” Watt said after defeating the Raiders.

And he’s excited about what’s to come for his fellow defender.

“He loves the game, he works hard, and just another guy I’m not surprised by. But super excited to have him continue to take steps each and every week, it’s important at this level.”

Benton played the least amount of snaps he has all regular season (21-28-29) but made them count. He drove right through the center and mowed down Raiders’ Jimmy Garoppolo, notching the first of what’ll be many career sacks.

As for Watt, in typical Watt-like fashion, he was all over the ball, forcing the interception to Patrick Peterson and adding two more sacks for an NFL-leading six.

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