Wisconsin
Chiefs’ meet with Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton; here’s what you need to know
The NFL Mix kicked off on Monday of this week, resulting in many studies and rumors circling the NFL Draft popping out. On Wednesday, one intriguing prospect informed reporters that he had a proper assembly scheduled with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs later that day.
Wisconsin defensive sort out Keeanu Benton is among the greatest names among the many interior-line prospects on this yr’s draft — and one in every of my favourite prospects that I studied early on this course of.
Right here’s what to find out about a possible draft goal for Kansas Metropolis:
Background
Benton was invited to the 2023 Senior Bowl, collaborating and impressing many analysts overlaying the week of practices. He measured at over 6’3” whereas weighing 312 lbs. He boasted a wingspan of 81 3/4 inches, the fourth-highest mark among the many line of defense prospects measured that week.
Wisconsin IDL Keeanu Benton is a particularly spectacular child. Talked about how his background as a wrestler interprets to the soccer discipline.
“Palms, hips, ft, it’s 1-1 on the mat — similar to within the trenches.” pic.twitter.com/LPv8uI8sS5
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 1, 2023
Benton was a three-star recruit for soccer out of highschool but in addition impressed on the wrestling mat: he certified for state twice, ending as runner-up within the 285-pound weight class his junior season. He used that profile to right away contribute at Wisconsin, the place he began six video games and performed in all 13 throughout his first yr on campus.
He would go on to earn honors for All-Massive Ten second workforce in 2021, then the third workforce in 2022.
Over 39 profession video games, Benton totaled 19 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. He additionally pressured two fumbles, batted three passes down, and earned strain on 12.4% of his pass-rush snaps in 2022; for comparability, Georgia defensive sort out Jalen Carter earned strain on 11.6% of his rushes final yr.
Movie analysis
Benton performed primarily the nostril sort out place for the Badgers, utilizing his huge dimension to plug up the A-gap and soak up double groups in opposition to Massive Ten-run video games.
Keeanu Benton revealed right now that he’ll formally meet with the #Chiefs. Superior to listen to, as a result of I like how he’d match on KC’s DL
Takes up a ton of area, however reads zone runs nicely and has motion abilities to leap gaps or chase down from the bottom pic.twitter.com/PZ1jHm56LJ
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) March 1, 2023
What makes Benton a legit NFL prospect is how nicely he strikes at his dimension. On prime of being a handful for any guard or middle to take care of, he can hearth out with a great first step and run down the road of scrimmage to chase down outdoors runs.
His constant management of blocks permits him to learn offensive flows nicely, and he has the motion abilities and energy to redirect himself and alter gaps to comply with the ball.
Benton has some highly effective paws, however combines them w/ a great 1st step & sound approach to membership or rip by blockers successfully
Then reveals off the bench press, popping out w/ good leverage and utterly lifting up the C on the objective line pic.twitter.com/v2l6A9R9g9
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) March 1, 2023
On prime of Benton’s nimble ft, he has some highly effective fingers when clubbing a blocker or ripping by. His mass and width already make him arduous to remain in entrance of as an offensive lineman, however his elementary hand utilization and basic intelligence as a rusher make him almost unimaginable to utterly stonewall in a one-on-one scenario.
These abilities present up when he’s getting after the quarterback, utilizing completely different strikes to get previous a blocker — but in addition being energetic in move lanes. He reveals good effort in batting down passes.
When Benton does want to fireplace out and bench press a lineman, he will get right into a low stance and is ready to come out with good leverage — regardless of being taller than the everyday inside lineman.
How he suits with the Chiefs
The Chiefs want a beginning defensive sort out to pair with Chris Jones, and Benton might step into that position instantly. With Jones being the penetrator, Benton may be the gap-stuffing complement that patrols the A-gap primarily. That position on early downs would simply be the ground of Benton’s outlook, nonetheless. I imagine Benton might develop right into a multi-dimensional participant that the Chiefs don’t wish to take off the sector — whether or not it’s a short-yardage play or a third-and-long.
The underside line
Benton is at present projected to be drafted close to the highest of the second spherical, pushing to turn into a range on Day 1. With the athletic profile he has at his dimension, it wouldn’t be stunning to see his inventory rise after the NFL Mix.
What meaning: the Chiefs could solely have one likelihood to take the large man, and it’d need to be with their first number of the weekend. Kansas Metropolis should internally debate whether or not this positional want is definitely worth the draft capital.