Mike Tomlin gives huge hint on Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft plans

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Mike Tomlin is not one to give away the secret sauce, but he does drop hints, and he may have given one to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft thoughts this year. Talking about Keeanu Benton’s versatility, Tomlin hinted that the team wants versatile players along their defensive line early in the NFL Draft.

More importantly, he talked about how Benton’s versatility allows him to stay on the football field no matter what, and that could give a key hint to their draft plans.

“He [Keeanu Benton] has versatility, but that’s why we took him that high, particularly in today’s game, [there’s] not a lot of nose [tackle] play in today’s game, based on matchups and so forth. I think we spend about 80% of our time in sub-package football. And so, his versatility is an asset to him and us where he’s not reduced by offensive personnel that’s potentially on the field or not,” Tomlin said.

That quote seems innocuous, but it basically all but rules out a two-down nose tackle in the first round. If the Steelers do draft a nose tackle, that player will be capable of going out to a 3-technique and perhaps further in sub-packages.

That will mean if the Steelers do draft Kenneth Grant, it will not be because they see him as a nose tackle that can bump their run defense, but also as a pass rusher who gives them utility in sub-packages that they play in the most.

It does not rule out Grant, but if the team thinks Grant is simply a run stuffer and only a two down player, it makes it a lot less likely they would take him, and far likelier they would look at Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon.

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