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Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have Omar Khan, Andy Weidl and Mike Tomlin to thank for what looks to be an incredible 2023 draft class. More than half of the guys selected have made strong impacts. Most notably, Joey Porter Jr. has evolved into the team's best cornerback, hopefully ending the bad track record of late when targeting the position. Broderick Jones has played well, although not on the left side of the line (where he should be). Additionally, Keeanu Benton, Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig have all been able to make contributions throughout the regular season.
As the Steelers prepare to play the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs, several of these names will be heard on Sunday afternoon. Herbig arguably had the smallest role, despite being solid on special teams, but that is going to change quickly. TJ Watt will be out at least two weeks with a knee injury and both Herbig and veteran edge rusher, Markus Golden will be asked to step up in the former AP Defensive Player of the Year's absence.
Benton and Herbig both played at the University of Wisconsin, where Watt attended college as well. Pittsburgh has not been shy about liking Badgers players in the pre-draft process. Now, two rookies will play big-time roles in a win-or-go-home road playoff game. The Bills have a tough offense, but Benton is excited for the challenge. According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, the rookie duo knows they need to be ready to get going quickly with expanded roles in the postseason.
Yesterday, Keeanu Benton said that he and former Wisconsin teammate Nick Herbig have talked about the need to "be a microwave" when they get opportunities.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) January 9, 2024
A microwave?
“Heating up fast."
Herbig was a core special teams contributor, playing about 78% of snaps throughout his first NFL season. He only was on the field for 191 (or 17%) of the defensive plays, but one could argue he is a big reason why the team snuck into the playoffs. He had a strip-sack of Geno Smith in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks and it allowed Pittsburgh to put more points on the board and slightly pull away.
Benton has exploded onto the scene on the defensive line. There are several veteran players including Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi, but the youth of Benton has provided a little bit of depth that has been most useful. He won the starting job in the middle of the season and appears to have been a big-time steal later in the second round.
He had two forced fumbles and a sack in his first regular season. The defensive front still needs to be addressed in the 2024 offseason, but the emergence of Benton is a welcomed sight and the hope is that he has someone to play next to him long-term going forward. He isn't kidding with the microwave comment, either. It's going to be cold in Buffalo and it will be the first playoff experience for many players on the team.
Josh Allen will be ready to go from the first snap and, defensively, getting acclimated in a timely manner will make a big difference for Benton and Herbig if they want to help lead the Steelers to a shocking upset victory against the Bills.
Steelers Need More Than Just Rookies To Step Up
Replacing Watt is not the job of one, or even two, men. The NFL's sack leader is a game-wrecker and guys like Alex Highsmith will also need to come to play if Pittsburgh wants a shot at winning a playoff game for the first time since the 2016 season. It'll be great for the stout rookie class to get postseason experience in year one, but even better if they can mimic a microwave, heat up quickly, and help fuel an upset victory.
More must-reads:
- Longtime Steelers DT Cameron Heyward hints contract extension is coming
- Cowboys release veteran WR
- The 'NFL MVP runners-up' quiz
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