The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Wisconsin Badgers’ Keeanu Benton with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh spent two of their three picks from day two on the defense after selecting an offensive tackle in the first round on Thursday. Included in that were both of their second-round selections, the second of which was Keeanu. He was the first player at his position selected by the Steelers earlier than the third round since Stephon Tuitt in 2014.
Upon his joining the first professional team, he shared his expression in an interview where he reflected on his objective in future.
What did Keeanu Benton say?
The 21-year-old has shared his insight on how he’s going make his place in the roster. “I feel like my run game is mainly the big thing that a lot of people see”, Benton said. “But I feel like in Pittsburgh, I can develop into a great pass rusher. Like I said, kind of get notes from Coach Dunbar, who’s a great coach, and Cam Heyward.”
With the 49th pick in the 2023 #NFLDraft, we select DL Keeanu Benton. pic.twitter.com/awcPIglpd7
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 29, 2023
After replacing John Mitchell, Dunbar has been in charge of the Steelers’ defensive line for a number of years, and virtually every lineman who has been in that room has nothing but positive things to say about him. In the scouting process, he is also a very active position coach.
Benton appears to be one guy he really liked, which is consistent with the idea that his advice on prospects is highly respected. When it comes to Cameron Heyward, he is what he is: a stalwart Pro Bowler who just completed his second straight season with 10 or more sacks.
He continues to play at a very high-level despite being well over his 30th birthday, but the arrival of Benton and Larry Ogunjobi this offseason should help ease some of his burden.
