The Pittsburgh Steelers have very few question marks heading into the 2023 season regarding their depth chart. With just two preseason games left before their Week 1 opener against the San Francisco 49ers, most starting positions are solidified. However, there is one position that Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo believes will be over taken by a second round rookie and it's not Joey Porter Jr.
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Steelers veteran defensive linemen Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi will be expected to not only carry the unit in 2023, but also be mentors to a young guy like Keeanu Benton.
Fittipaldo appeared on The Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday and had some interesting thoughts on the current nose tackle battle at Steelers camp.
"There's every expectation that Keeanu Benton is going to be the starter at nose tackle...maybe even against the 49ers."
This is a somewhat surprising prediction as Benton currently ranks third on the depth chart behind incumbent starter Montravius Adams and offseason signing Breiden Fehoko. Fittipaldo has been making headlines this week by also suggesting that the Steelers could part ways with fourth-year running back Anthony McFarland Jr. after final cuts later this month. Fittipaldo has been covering the Steelers for years and is at practice every day watching the team compete, so his opinion should be held in high respect.
Benton was the second second-round pick by the Steelers in the 2023 draft following a successful career at the University of Wisconsin. During his four seasons with the Badgers, he recorded 80 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9 sacks over the course of 45 total games. He was selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team (coaches) following his junior season in 2021 and was chosen as an All-Big Ten Third Team (coaches) after his senior year in 2022.
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New Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton is a perfect example of the team's model of getting back to the trenches.
Steelers encouraging competition at every position during 2023 training camp
Benton, who was selected number 49 overall by Pittsburgh in the 2023 NFL Draft, certainly has nothing guaranteed coming into his first professional training camp this summer. Benton has been competing all summer with players who have significant NFL experience including the aforementioned Adams and Fehoko. Adams, who the Steelers picked up midway through the 2021 season, has started 13 games for Pittsburgh over the last two years, but has failed to record a sack in his 22 games of action.
Fehoko, who played his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Chargers prior to signing in Pittsburgh this offseason, has played three seasons so far in the NFL. Fehoko, like Adams, has never recorded an NFL sack and has only played in 19 games over the past three seasons with only four starts.
One surprising note reported by Fittipaldo was that defensive lineman Armon Watts took first-team reps at nose tackle during practice on Tuesday. Watts is another player that the Steelers signed this offseason prior to drafting Benton. Watts has 22 career starts in the NFL and has eight career sacks. Watts seemed excited about the opportunity to compete at a new position when he was questioned following practice on Tuesday.
"Coach mixed me in there a little bit today. I accepted the challenge. I came out here and I had a clear mind."
The Steelers have a relatively veteran defensive line with starters Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt. However, an infusion of young talent was much needed. The Steelers have been trying to add youth to their defensive line over the past couple drafts with selections Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal, but this is the first time the Steelers have a spent a second-round pick on an interior defensive lineman since drafting Stephon Tuitt in the 2014 NFL Draft.
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The Steelers have begun infusing young talent such as Benton to match with their star edge rushers Watt and Highsmith.
Benton has only a few opportunities left to secure his starting spot prior to the regular season starting. With heavy competition from veteran players, Benton is going to have to continue to shine in practice and these last two preseason games. Even if Benton doesn't start right away, it's hard to imagine him not having a significant impact on the 2023 season for the Steelers.
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