Tim Benz: Steelers rookies hope to prove they're as versatile as scouting suggests

When looking at the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers draft class, versatility appears to be one of its biggest strengths.

In theory, second-round pick Keeanu Benton (DL/Wisconsin) should be able to move up and down the defensive line of scrimmage, playing nose tackle or end. Third-round pick Darnell Washington (TE/Georgia) is expected to be a devastating run blocker and a significant threat catching the ball as well.

On draft day, Nick Herbig (Wisconsin) was labeled as an outside linebacker. But since then, general manager Omar Khan has stated that he’ll possibly get a look inside as well. And seventh-round selection Spencer Anderson may wind up being a reserve at all three offensive line positions. That could be second nature to him since he proved starter capable at all three at Maryland.

Now that the players have been assembled and are starting to practice, the hard part becomes proving they can all handle the multiple jobs. Following last week’s rookie minicamp, head coach Mike Tomlin says those introductions can come gradually as organized team activities begin next week.

“There’ll be primary jobs and roles, and they have to establish themselves in that area first, and then we add to it,” Tomlin said. “An introductory weekend like (rookie minicamp), there is just not a lot of latitude for some of that, and so it’s more establishing a home base and working from there.”

For Herbig, that home base, for now, appears to be on the edge, but he is anticipating exposure in the middle of the defense as well.

“So far, it has just been outside, but I’m sure I’ll rotate both,” Herbig said. “If I come in and they say I’m playing inside, then, OK, I’m playing inside. I don’t try to think too much about it. I just try to come in every day ready to work.”

Herbig will have the luxury of being groomed behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith outside and at least four inside linebackers. He can contribute on special teams until he’s called upon to spell the starters. Plus, he is going to have to figure out his weight.

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Assistant GM Andy Weidl expressed confidence that Herbig could put on a few pounds to increase his bulk on the edge. But if Herbig is to be used inside as well, whatever he adds to his 240-pound frame can’t slow him down sideline-to-sideline.

“I can put on weight if I need to, for sure,” Herbig insisted. “Whatever they tell me they want me at, I’ll get there.”

Benton may have to show position flexibility the fastest. He’s a second-round pick. There are snaps to be won along the defensive line at nose and end. Plus, it’d be nice to have those snaps won along the trenches so the likes of Larry Ogunjobi and Cameron Heyward can get some rest.

Use Javon Hargrave as a comp. Coming in as a rookie to play nose and spell Heyward and Stephon Tuitt in 2016, Hargrave started 13 games and played 50% of the defensive snaps. That usage began to spike after Week 10 when Heyward was lost for the year with a torn pectoral muscle.

“It’s something I have to get used to,” Benton said. “Coming into Wisconsin, it was kind of the same thing. Everything is going 100 miles per hour. But the more you play the game, the more it slows down.”

Washington’s case is a little different. All tight ends need to be proficient blockers and pass catchers. It’s in the job description. But usually, as rookies, the blocking part needs to come along in time.

The Steelers seem to have a different approach with Washington. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, it sounds like the quickest path to the field for him will be in blocking situations, almost serving as a third offensive tackle in many sets. But he’s not worried about picking up the route-running aspect of the game as well.

“I’m a pretty fast learner,” Washington said. “Georgia was a program where we ran a pro-style offense in a way. It’s just different terminology.”

Even the top two picks might need to be light on their feet. Broderick Jones may have to learn some left and right tackle. Joey Porter Jr. may bounce into the slot on occasion.

But regardless of how difficult the intake of information is for all those players, the Steelers are counting on them to be contributors as rookies. All those “A” grades they got for the draft aren’t going to pay off unless the class itself can stay on pace with an accelerated learning curve in multiple disciplines.