The Pittsburgh Steelers may be looking to address their defensive line in a big way in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while it may not happen on Days 1 and 2, one underrated Michigan defender could be a sleeper pickup.
Look no further than defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, an excellent run defender who may be available when the Steelers make their fifth-round draft selection.
Here's a look at Benny's scouting report, containing information on his bio, strengths, concerns, stats, and highlights.
Uses good length and strength to shed blocks with ease
Injury history (knee surgery in highschool, broken fibula in 2023)
Jan 18, 2009; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) celebrates his interception during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY SportsDec 17, 2006, Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver (86) Hines Ward on the sidelines in the Steelers 37-3 win against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Bob DonnanDEC 11, 2005; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman (66) Alan Faneca blocks in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field. Steelers beat the Bears 21-9. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Matthew EmmonsAug 1, 1998; Canton, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mike Vrabel (96) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Pro Football Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium. The Buccaneers beat the Steelers 30-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsNov 15, 1998; Nashville, TN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Earl Holmes (50) on the field against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK1997; unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart (10) scrambles with the ball during the 1997 season. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY SportsNov 15, 1998; Nashville, TN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Gildon (92) in action against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORKJan 28, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland (99) makes a tackle against Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek (84) during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY SportsSep 6, 1998; Baltimore, MD, USA; FILE PHOTO; Baltimore Ravens tackle Jeff Mitchell (60) blocking Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Joel Steed (93) during the 1998 season at Ravens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY SportsNov 15, 1998; Nashville, TN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland (99) in action against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORKSep 12, 1993; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Darren Perry (39) in action after an interception against Los Angeles Rams receiver Flipper Anderson (83) at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORKNov 27, 1994; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Leon Searcy (72) in action against the Los Angeles Raiders at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORKJan 28, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Ernie Mills (89) on the field against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. Dallas defeated Pittsburgh 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Randy Reid/The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY SportsSep 12, 1993; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Green (86) on the field against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORKJan 28, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell (14) throws the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY SportsNov 27, 1994; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Barry Foster (29) in action against Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY NETWORKOct 17, 1993; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Carnell Lake (37) in action against the New Orleans Saints at Three Rivers Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY SportsNov 15, 1992; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell (14) and guard Carlton Haselrig (77) at the line of scrimmage against the Detroit Lions at Three Rivers Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports1 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Jan 18, 2009; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) celebrates his interception during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports1 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Jan 18, 2009; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend (26) celebrates his interception during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports2 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Dec 17, 2006, Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver (86) Hines Ward on the sidelines in the Steelers 37-3 win against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Bob Donnan3 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999DEC 11, 2005; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman (66) Alan Faneca blocks in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field. Steelers beat the Bears 21-9. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Matthew Emmons4 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Aug 1, 1998; Canton, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mike Vrabel (96) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Pro Football Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium. The Buccaneers beat the Steelers 30-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports5 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Nov 15, 1998; Nashville, TN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Earl Holmes (50) on the field against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK6 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 19991997; unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart (10) scrambles with the ball during the 1997 season. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports7 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Nov 15, 1998; Nashville, TN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Gildon (92) in action against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK8 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Jan 28, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland (99) makes a tackle against Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek (84) during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY Sports9 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Sep 6, 1998; Baltimore, MD, USA; FILE PHOTO; Baltimore Ravens tackle Jeff Mitchell (60) blocking Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Joel Steed (93) during the 1998 season at Ravens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports10 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Nov 15, 1998; Nashville, TN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland (99) in action against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK11 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Sep 12, 1993; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Darren Perry (39) in action after an interception against Los Angeles Rams receiver Flipper Anderson (83) at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK12 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Nov 27, 1994; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Leon Searcy (72) in action against the Los Angeles Raiders at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK13 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Jan 28, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Ernie Mills (89) on the field against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. Dallas defeated Pittsburgh 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Randy Reid/The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY Sports14 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Sep 12, 1993; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Green (86) on the field against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK15 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Jan 28, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell (14) throws the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY Sports16 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Nov 27, 1994; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Barry Foster (29) in action against Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY NETWORK17 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Oct 17, 1993; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Carnell Lake (37) in action against the New Orleans Saints at Three Rivers Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports18 / 18Steelers’ best draft picks from 1989 to 1999Nov 15, 1992; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell (14) and guard Carlton Haselrig (77) at the line of scrimmage against the Detroit Lions at Three Rivers Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY SportsStats2021: Two combined tackles, zero sacks, zero forced fumbles
2022: 13 combined tackles, zero sacks, zero forced fumbles
2023: 27 combined tackles, one sack, one forced fumble
2024: 29 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, zero forced fumbles
2025: 35 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, zero forced fumbles
Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny deserves more love. He’s been an elite run defender for 2.5 years now, and while the pass rush production hasn’t always been consistent, the flashes are there. He was nearly unblockable at the Senior Bowl 6'3 298 lbs 33 3/8" arms #BuildingTheBoard pic.twitter.com/h1tb7xn4ZR
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers NFL Draft scouting report: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
