Add defensive tackle Keeanu Benton to list of rookies making impact for Steelers
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When talking publicly about his young Pittsburgh Steelers players, particularly rookies, coach Mike Tomlin isn’t prone to hyperbole. He would rather root for the New England Patriots than offer effusive praise.
So when Tomlin gushed this week about the play of rookie defensive tackle Keeanu Benton in the Steelers’ 23-19 victory Sunday against Green Bay, it was an eye-opening moment.
“He’s come on like gangbusters,” Tomlin said. “Every week, he’s getting better. You can’t deny that, and it’s an awesome thing because we need it.”
A member of a rookie class that includes tackle Broderick Jones, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and tight end Darnell Washington, Benton spent the first half of the season going about his business with little fanfare and without generating banner headlines.
That changed against Green Bay when, making his second career start, Benton totaled six tackles, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup while playing the most snaps of anyone in the Steelers’ defensive line rotation.
More than veterans Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi logged. More than role players Armon Watts, Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal accumulated combined.
Working the interior of the defensive line, Benton played 45 of a possible 68 snaps and — as his numbers suggest — he made the most of them. It was the second game in a row that Benton received a heavy workload. He played a season-high 48 snaps in the 20-16 victory against Tennessee.
Benton’s ascension to a prominent role on the defensive line coincided with Montravius Adams injuring his ankle early in the game against the Titans. Perhaps nobody has taken notice more — or been more impressed — than the player Benton replaced.
“Fundamentally, he’s one of our better players just coming straight from college to the team,” Adams said. “I’ve seen him grow every game. Pass rush, he’s been great, honestly. Overall, I would say he’s been doing good.
“I have nothing bad to say. I mean, we all have bad plays, but he could have been a day-one starter.”
With all the veterans the Steelers had on the defensive line — it’s so deep that four-year NFL vet Breiden Fehoko has yet to play a snap — Benton had to bide his time at the outset and play a bit part in the rotation. It was a path the Steelers also took with Jones and Porter, the two players drafted ahead of Benton, as well as Washington.
“I don’t ever put it like they are coming fast or slow,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “I see how they grow and how they do and when they are ready, we continue to feed them. He’s been on a steady upward trend.”
Benton made his first career start in Week 5 against Baltimore, yet it wasn’t until the Thursday night game against Tennessee that he played more than half of the defensive snaps.
“He’s right where we were hoping we would be,” Austin said. “We didn’t put any limits on him, let’s put it that way.”
Adams, who is in his seventh NFL season, fessed up to getting pointers from a player drafted this year with the No. 49 overall pick from Wisconsin.
“I keep helping him with little things, and, honestly, I’ve taken some little things from him,” Adams said. “He’s got a couple of things in the pass-rush department that I’ve been trying to steal. I still don’t think I can do some of them. He’s a hell of a player, and he’s only going to get better.”
Adams’ ankle injury kept him sidelined for the first time this season when the Steelers faced Green Bay. It was particularly frustrating because Adams spent his first four seasons playing for the Packers and wanted a measure of retribution. He had to live vicariously through Benton.
“I’m just happy he beat up on Green Bay,” Adams said. “I couldn’t do it, but I’m so proud of him and happy that he did something for me.”
Adams might not get his starting job back when he returns to health considering the way Benton played against Green Bay.
“He’s really sharp for a young guy,” Austin said. “He’s really strong, really flexible in his hips. Watch him explode on people and get rid of blocks, his hands. He’s got all the tools you need to be a really dominant defensive lineman. That’s what impresses me.
“Tack on the fact he’s sharp and understands things, it helps his growth, and that’s part of the reason he’s growing, accelerating and developing.”