Keeanu Benton

Pos: IDL

School: WIsconsin

Ht. 6’4″ 

Wt. 309

Games Watched: Illinois, Ohio State, Rutgers

One Liner: Strong defensive tackle who wins with strength, football IQ, and a stout frame

Strengths: 

  • Very good strength. Benton can hold up blocks at the POA with functional strength generated in the form of a powerful anchor and torque in his upperbody to control two gaps as a read and react defender. Benton generates great attacking position with the pushback generated from his strength.
  • Very good aggressivenes. Benton shows off an explosive motor off the line to engage into the chest of offensive lineman. He engages in violent hand combats at the line and is not afraid of heavy contact at the POA.
  • Good football IQ. Benton is a smart player who does well out of a read and react system, keeping his head up and recognizing run plays early on in the development of the play. As a two gapper, he uses his play recognition and IQ to get in position in a timely manner to seal off gaps.
  • Good frame. Benton possesses an ideal build for a two gapping defensive lineman and has enough width in his frame to be a tough task to block in the running game. Considering what his future role in the NFL beholds, he could even add some more weight and be fine in his scheme. 

Weaknesses:

  • Adequate athletic ability. Benton is not a high level athlete, and lacks fluidity to be a one gapper at the next level. He is not particularly shifty and won’t get skinny in between gaps with the desired shiftiness to be a true and natural penetrator. 
  • Adequate rush technique at POA. While Benton has plus aggressiveness off the line and at the POA, he will have to refine some of his movements and counters once engaged in contact. Benton could look to improve his hand placement and timing of when he throws his arms up to prevent his chest from being vulnerable off the snap. Benton also loses some pad leverage when he shoots straight up out of his gap. 
  • Adequate rush arsenal. Benton doesn’t have a refined rush arsenal to be a pass rushing threat at the next level at this point. He has a couple of moves that he uses, but these are inconsistent and lack fluid movements to pose a substantial threat against NFL offensive lineman.

Overall Assessment: Keannu Benton is a high IQ, strong defensive tackle who looks like he could be a block/gap filler at the next level. He possesses the ideal frame and aggression needed to be a sufficient two gapper at the next level. However, it looks like this will be Benton’s designated role at this point, as he lacks the athletic ability and twitch to be a true penetrator at this point. Thus, Benton’s role on the defensive line will be limited and will rely upon other defensive lineman’s success for his role to truly make its presence felt. Nonetheless, Benton looks like he can be a reliable two gapper who can hold his own. With some NFL coaching Benton could be a solid every down lineman. 

Scheme Fit: two gapping defensive tackle in an odd front

Pick Projection: Late 2nd round

Grade: 6.34