After a rough close to the 2024 season that saw consistent struggles to stop the run, the Pittsburgh Steelers set out to rebuild the trenches defensively and give the defensive line room behind longtime veteran Cameron Heyward a facelift.
Under GM Omar Khan, the Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon in the first round, Yahya Black in the fifth round, signed Daniel Ekuale and Esezi Otomewo in free agency, and re-signed Isaiahh Loudermilk.
On paper, the group looked much stronger entering the season. Optimism was high. But things got off to a tough start due to injuries. Harmon missed the first two games of the season, Dean Lowry was lost in training camp to a torn ACL, Benton struggled mightily, Loudermilk went down with an ankle injury and eventually Ekuale was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
In recent weeks though, the group has stabilized and is playing some very good football, which has head coach Mike Tomlin very encouraged.
On the latest episode of The Mike Tomlin Show, Tomlin spoke highly of the defensive line, specifically its young players.
“Yeah, we got some quality players that are adding big-time contributions to our effort,” Tomlin said Saturday of the defensive line. “And as you mentioned, particularly up front defensively, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black as well, who are absorbing significant roles in our front. We got some quality young people up front, but we need it. We need some young talent to go with the grizzly veteran Cam Heyward.”
Since returning in Week 3 from his knee injury, Harmon has been a key player in the trenches. He leads all rookie interior defensive linemen with 15 pressures on the season and has been stout as a run defender, providing everything the Steelers expected when they drafted him No. 21 overall out of Oregon.
Black has played nearly 200 snaps on the season, serving as a developmental rotational piece. He’s coming off his best game against the Los Angeles Chargers and could see more playing time down the stretch as he continues to improve.
The biggest name of the young group though is Benton. He has played some great football in recent weeks after a disastrous start to the season in which he was nearly unplayable, struggling so badly against the run and offering very little as a pass rusher.
Since then, Benton has completely turned it around. He’s up to 4.5 sacks on the season and has become a good run defender, playing with better technique and being assignment-sound, taking what the offense gives him as far as blocking and executing his specific role, not trying to do too much.
It’s paid off, and he’s leading the way for the young group. It’s encouraging for Tomlin as the franchise’s investment in the trenches is starting to show signs of return — and is helping stabilize the Steelers’ defense.
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