Steelers Now
A former third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers could find himself on the outside looking in this summer.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to field a star-studded defense once again in 2025. However, that could mean some surprising players are cut by summer’s end.
Pro Football Sports Network believes one of those players could be outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal, a third-round pick by the Steelers in 2022.
“DeMarvin Leal hasn’t quite worked out for the Pittsburgh Steelers the way they hoped he would,” PFSN wrote. “Leal faces steeper competition at defensive tackle for a roster spot this year. The Steelers drafted Yahya Black in the fifth round this offseason, and they already have Logan Lee and Isaiahh Loudermilk returning from last year. Leal is still just 25, so he’ll likely catch on with another team if cut. There’s no guarantee he makes Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster, though.”
Leal has struggled to find his footing in Pittsburgh as a “tweener” and dealing with injuries. He has just 33 tackles, one sack and four passes defensed in 28 games. Last season, he played in just five games due to injury.
When the team drafted Leal out of Texas A&M, the plan was to start him out on the inside while slowly incorporating him on the outside of the defensive line.
He has since made the permanent switch, but he got lost in the shuffle as a positionless defensive player to start his NFL career. Now, it may be too late.
Leal is entering the final year of his rookie deal, so unless the Steelers see him as part of their future, they may just cut their losses this offseason.
Pittsburgh’s defensive line is already very crowded with outside linebackers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer as well as defensive tackles Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton.
Leal may find himself on the outside looking in if he can’t prove he can finally stay healthy and reach his third-round expectations.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Third-Round Pick Named Shocking Cut Candidate
