Broncos Draft: Wisconsin DI Keeanu Benton
It wouldn’t hurt for the Broncos to perfect their best quality.
The Denver Broncos don't need as much help on the defensive side of the ball as they do on offense. I think we all saw that last season, when the defense was a top-five unit and the offense was a bottom-five unit.
But, who's to say the Broncos can't target defense in the draft? Sure, I think their first pick, which comes in at pick 67, should be for offense. But, I also don't know how to run a team. Maybe the Broncos will have a guy on their board who is available at 67 that they feel they just can't pass up.
If they were to go defense with their first pick, I'd recommend beefing up their defensive line and going with Wisconsin interior defender Keeanu Benton.
Here is what Pro Football Focus thinks of Benton for the 2023 draft class:
Benton’s hands are strong and violent. His wins on tape come almost exclusively from a strong shock to an offensive lineman’s shoulder pads. Benton has split his time almost evenly between the A- (698 snaps) and B-gap (612) over the course of his career. He can easily fill the same role in the NFL. When Benton plays with tight hands and low pad level, it’s a sight to behold. However, those reps are too few and far between for the big fella.
Benton chose Wisconsin over Iowa in the recruiting process and started six games as a freshman in 2019, seeing 245 snaps on defense. He went on to start five of the Badgers' seven games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, registering six tackles resulting in a defensive stop. He took on a starting role in 2021 and 2022 and played 899 snaps on defense across the two seasons. He flexed his muscle as a pass rusher, registering 49 total pressures from 482 pass-rushing snaps in that span.
The Broncos did not decide to franchise tag defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones during the deadline on Tuesday, which can mean two things. Either he will get a deal done, or they will let him walk if the two sides can't agree to something.
We will certainly know more next week, but if Jones walks, Benton would be a great choice in the draft. He can play the gaps perfectly while also creating pressure, forcing the pocket to get smaller. He wouldn't be a bad choice if Jones doesn't walk too.
He has the motor every coach wants to see. He oftentimes never gives up on plays, even when it looks like he won't catch the quarterback out of the pocket. That alone also shows that he just wants to be great and that he loves the game of football.
You can read the rest of the PFF report on Benton here.
