Rayshaun Benny Scouting Report | Michigan DT | 2026 NFL Draft

Player Snapshot

School: Michigan
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6-4 / Weight: 305 lbs
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Rayshaun Benny is a powerful, experienced interior defensive lineman with strong run-defense traits, positional versatility, and a battle-tested profile developed within Michigan’s deep defensive line rotation. A multi-year contributor who eventually stepped into a larger starting role, Benny projects as a scheme-versatile defensive tackle capable of playing 3-technique, 4i, or rotational interior roles. His evaluation is built on power, effort, and reliability rather than elite pass-rush upside.

Player Background & Production

Benny has been a consistent contributor for Michigan since 2021, rotating behind multiple NFL-caliber defensive linemen before earning increased responsibility later in his career. Across his first three seasons, he played in 30 games and totaled 43 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a sack while developing within a championship-caliber defensive front.

In 2024, he played in 11 games with four starts, recording 29 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks while beginning to take on a larger role along the interior. Entering his senior season, he transitioned from a rotational depth piece to a more prominent defensive tackle presence, benefiting from years of development behind high-end talent and increased snap volume against top Big Ten competition. He logged 35 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in 2025.

His statistical profile reflects steady interior production rather than splash pass-rush numbers, with solid tackle totals and consistent involvement in run defense and interior rotation usage.

Strengths

Power & Point-of-Attack Strength: Benny plays with strong natural power and a sturdy base, allowing him to hold his ground against double teams and interior drive blocks. He absorbs contact well and prevents displacement in the run game.

Run Defense & Gap Discipline: He is a reliable interior run defender who maintains gap integrity and clogs rushing lanes. His ability to anchor and control space makes him effective in early-down situations and short-yardage defense.

Positional Versatility: Benny has experience aligning across the defensive front, including 3-technique and 4i roles. His versatility allows defenses to move him depending on front structure and matchup needs.

Hand Usage & Shedding Ability: He uses aggressive hands to engage and disengage from blockers, showing the ability to shed and locate the football in tight quarters. His length and hand activity help him stay active at the line of scrimmage.

Motor & Competitive Effort: Benny plays with consistent effort and physical toughness, working through contact and staying active throughout the rep. His high-effort style shows up in pursuit and interior hustle plays.

Experience in Elite Defensive System: Having played within Michigan’s championship-level defensive line rotation, he brings experience against top-tier competition and a strong understanding of assignment discipline and defensive structure.

Areas for Improvement

Pass-Rush Production & Counters: Benny’s pass-rush impact has been modest relative to his snap count. He relies more on push and effort than refined rush moves or advanced counter sequencing.

Pad Level Consistency: He can play too high at times, which reduces his leverage and anchor effectiveness against stronger interior offensive linemen. Maintaining consistent pad level will be key to maximizing his power.

Anchor vs. Double Teams: While strong overall, he can be moved when double-teamed by powerful interior lines, particularly when his leverage rises during extended reps.

Explosiveness & First-Step Burst: Benny shows good functional quickness but lacks elite initial burst as an interior penetrator. This limits his ceiling as a disruptive upfield pass rusher.

Limited Starting Experience: Much of his career came in a rotational role behind NFL-level talent, which slightly limits the sample size of full-time starting production compared to some interior prospects.

Medical History & Durability: Benny suffered a broken ankle during the 2024 Rose Bowl but returned to action and resumed playing the following season. He has otherwise maintained consistent availability, though the injury will be part of pre-draft medical evaluations.

Film Traits & Measurables

• Physical Frame: 6-4, 305-pound defensive tackle build (Michigan roster)
• Athletic Profile: Good functional strength with adequate interior quickness
• Alignment Usage: 3-technique, 4i, and rotational interior defensive line roles
• Play Style: Power-based interior defender built on strength, effort, and run discipline

Draft Projection & NFL Fit

Benny projects as a Day 3 selection, most commonly in the Round 4–6 range, with value as a rotational interior defensive lineman who can contribute immediately in run-defense packages. His experience in a deep rotation and scheme versatility increase his floor as a dependable depth piece.

He fits best in multiple-front defenses that utilize rotational defensive tackles and value interior toughness and gap control. Early in his career, he profiles as a rotational DT/3-tech with situational run-defense responsibilities and developmental upside as a steady interior contributor.

Summary

Rayshaun Benny is a powerful, experienced interior defensive lineman who wins with strength, effort, and disciplined run defense rather than high-end pass-rush explosiveness. Developed within Michigan’s deep and NFL-caliber defensive line rotation, he brings positional versatility, toughness, and reliable interior play against strong competition. While his pass-rush ceiling and limited elite burst cap his overall upside, his power, experience, and rotational consistency provide a clear pathway to an NFL role as a dependable interior defensive tackle.

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