There’s potential for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft class of 2023 to stand out as one of their strongest in recent history. Under Omar Khan’s leadership, on all three days of drafting rookies, valuable players were secured for critical positions.
Some may have struggled during their rookie season—like Darnell Washington—but they exhibit promise and are expected to play crucial roles in shaping this team moving forward.
Unfortunately, the 2022 class doesn’t shine as brightly. It’s common knowledge that Kenny Pickett has faced many challenges in his first two seasons.
Although he boasts a winning record, his performance hasn’t been impressive overall and the team’s offensive potential seems limited with him leading as former first-round quarterback.
Similarly, Calvin Austin III, a fourth-round selection in the 2022 draft has faced difficulties getting involved in Year 2 of his career due to an injury sustained during his rookie year.
Moreover, there is another high-draft pick who finds himself on shaky ground and possibly facing expulsion from the team.
DeMarvin Leal is posing a dilemma for the Steelers as they struggle to determine how best to utilize his talents.
I felt positively hopeful when the Pittsburgh Steelers picked DeMarvin Leal as their 84th overall choice in the third round of the NFL Draft for 2022.
My optimism stemmed from his impressive performance during his junior year at Texas A&M, where he earned 58 tackles, made a dozen and a half tackles resulting in loss yards AND also scored eight-and-a-half sacks!
Leal was deemed a top talent and the former No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the country, as per 247 Sports’ five-star rating system.
As such, many believed him to be a future first-round pick in the draft; unfortunately, his college performance did not live up to these expectations.
Despite uncertainties surrounding how Pittsburgh would utilize the larger-than-average edge defender, I believed that he was an ideal candidate to take a risk on in the third round. Hence, I supported the team’s decision of betting on his abilities.
Leal showed promise early on in his rookie year, but a knee injury landed him on IR and kept him out for an extended period. However, when he returned in Year 2 it appeared that the potential shown previously had vanished completely.
Keeanu Benton’s performance overshadowed Leal’s and by season-end he was not featured at all for the Steelers having been left off their active roster entirely.
After completing two NFL seasons, the once third-round draft pick was only given a chance to wear his helmet in one of the last six games (which also included the Wild Card match against Buffalo). As such, there is valid reason for us to ponder what actions will be taken by his team.
DeMarvin Leal might be traded by the Steelers in the year 2024.
DeMarvin Leal may be considered for trade by the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he has struggled to secure a consistent position on the team in his first two NFL seasons.
However, finding a taker could prove difficult given his lack of impact during his second year in professional football.
Due to Leal’s past draft position as a third-round pick, along with satisfactory athletic abilities and two years left on his initial contract, there is potential for some teams to offer him a low-level pick in hopes that he may thrive under their guidance.
Leal, the young defensive lineman, will be on the Steelers’ roster this summer if they cannot trade him. However, his spot among the final 53 players who make it to the team in September is not assured.
DeMarvin Leal must make a colossal leap in his third year to secure a place with the Steelers for 2024. Regrettably, optimism is fading fast and it seems that Leal finds himself under tremendous pressure at the start of offseason activities
