Steelers Cut Ties with Former Third-Round Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers are waiving former third-round pick, defensive lineman and outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Leal, 25, never lived up to the billing of his draft selection with the Steelers, thanks to a combination of injuries and an awkward fit in the Pittsburgh defensive scheme.

The Steelers bounced Leal back and forth between defensive tackle and outside linebacker over his three seasons in Pittsburgh. A neck injury limited him to just five games played in 2024.

On the other side of that injury, the Steelers committed to playing Leal at outside linebacker for the 2025 season. But they also drafted Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, pushing Leal to the fifth spot on the depth chart.

Leal got a long look for the Steelers in the preseason, with T.J. Watt not participating and Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig both dealing with injuries. Despite 104 defensive snaps over four games, he was able to amass just five tackles, no sacks and five quarterback pressures.

Leal’s release should be a good sign for the health of Herbig, who head coach Mike Tomlin said was still questionable to be able to suit up in Week 1 on Monday. Highsmith said he’s ready to start opposite Watt for the season opener on Sept. 7 against the New York Jets.

Leal played defensive end in a 4-3 front for Texas A&M in college, but struggled to transition to the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme, never finding a home between edge and interior lineman positions.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder was once considered a potential first-round pick option before falling to the Steelers in the third-round, but despite that pre-draft pedigree, the Steelers were seemingly unable to find a trade partner for Leal, who had just one sack over 28 career games for the Steelers.

Leal will go on waivers, where he will remain until Wednesday at noon. If he clears, he will be eligible to be added to the Steelers practice squad.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Cut Ties with Former Third-Round Draft Pick