An NFL analyst has recommended shifting Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton to a pass-rush specialist role focused on third downs. The suggestion comes amid ongoing organized team activities and questions about Benton's usage after a breakout 2025 season.
Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team shared his views during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. He stated that Benton should not be trusted in every-down situations but praised his pass-rushing ability.
“You don’t just trust him from an every-down perspective, but the pass-rush is incredible,” Palazzolo said. “He can have a 5-7 sack season…I think if you’re the Steelers, you’d rather steal some of those early down snaps for him and just have him unleashed on third down as much as possible.”
Benton, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, primarily played nose tackle in prior seasons and recorded 5.5 sacks in 2025 after totaling just one in the previous two years. The Steelers signed Sebastian Joseph-Day to handle early-down run defense work.
Questions remain about whether Benton can improve against the run if moved from nose tackle. His performance in a potential contract year will depend on how coaches Patrick Graham and Domata Peko deploy him along the defensive line.
