Benton named breakout candidate by PFF

Keeanu Benton has been named a breakout candidate by Pro Football Focus. 

"There were several moments when Benton looked flat-out unblockable, but the Steelers didn't use him as much as anticipated as a rookie. With Cameron Heyward experiencing a down 2023 and uncertainty with Larry Ogunjobi's production, it feels as though Benton should easily exceed his previous snap count and be disruptive on the interior," Bradley Locker wrote. 

PFF picked Benton as the breakout candidate for the Steelers over several other second-year players, including Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Darnell Washington, and Nick Herbig. 

Benton was fourth in pressures on the team last season, tied with Ogunjobi, with only edge rushers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Markus Golden collecting more. Benton also notched 36 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a sack despite playing just 516 defensive snaps last year--just 19 more than Heyward played, with Heyward missing six games due to injury. 

It's not just PFF that thinks Benton could be primed for a big year; Mike Tomlin also believes Benton is a young player on the rise.

"I'm really excited about the prospects of (Benton's) future. He's really talented," Tomlin said at his season-ending press conference. "I think he's capable of being dominant sooner rather than later."