Summary

Keeanu Benton was selected in the 2nd Round (#49 Overall) in the 2023 Draft. Benton combines excellent physical tools — size, length, strength — with a solid foundation of technique and a motor that gives real promise. His strongest impact will come early in run‑defense and interior gap control. If he continues to refine his pass‑rush toolkit, improve his burst and finish plays, and maintain gap discipline under heavy blocks, he could emerge as a very strong interior defensive lineman in the NFL. His current limitations are not major flaws but indicate that his best years may come after further development rather than immediately being a dominant interior rusher.

Strengths

• Size, length, and power base: Benton possesses “thickly‑built” mass for the interior line: with his length, density and strength he’s able to anchor and resist blockers. His physical traits allow him to “stack and shed” blockers, maintain gap integrity, and hold his ground in run defense. PFSN

• Run‑defense prowess: He’s shown an ability to plug interior gaps, absorb contact, and create disruption against the run game. He also displays lower‑body strength and leverage — critical for an interior lineman. Bleacher Report

• Emerging pass rush skills & motor: While primarily valued for run defense, his pass‑rush traits are encouraging: he shows flashes of explosiveness, ability to use a club‑move and swim over move, and has the length and agility to win inside. PFSN

• Versatility: Benton has experience aligning at multiple interior techniques (1‑tech, 3‑tech) and in different front types, which increases his schematic value. PFSN

Weaknesses

• Initial burst / get‑off speed: Can be slow off the ball for an interior rusher, meaning he doesn’t always generate premium momentum or separation quickly. Although his athletic testing is solid for his size, in game reps he sometimes looks less explosive than elite interior rushers. PFSN

• Pass‑rush repertoire & consistency: While he has a good foundation, he is still developing a broader array of rush moves and counters, especially when his first move fails or when blockers adjust. He may not yet consistently finish plays with sacks (although pressures are there) – a common developmental step for interior linemen. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Double‑team and heavy‑block situations: Despite his size and strength, there are notes that he can be neutralized by combo blocks or double‑teams, and sometimes loses leverage or gap control in those situations. In the NFL, he is more of a one‑gap penetrator rather than a full three‑down space‑eater in high‑end nose roles. PFSN

• Tackling form & lateral range: Occasionally lunges in tackling, which can lead to missed tackles; also his lateral pursuit or agility in space could improve. Bleacher Report

Projection & Role

Keeanu Benton projects as a potential long‑term starter on the interior, especially in roles that emphasize defending the run, shooting gaps, and providing interior push. With his physical traits and developmental path, he has the upside to grow into a very impactful lineman. Best case - he becomes a three‑down interior defender (run & pass) who commands double‑teams, disrupts the pocket, and holds his own in heavy fronts. In the meantime, he can excel as a strong base‑down run defender, enter on early downs, and gradually add pass‑rush effectiveness and third‑down work as his technique sharpens.