Steelers All 90: DeMarvin Leal Trained To Be a ‘Tweener’

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a vision for DeMarvin Leal when the team drafted him out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That plan got thrown out of the window when T.J. Watt got injured. The injury resulted in the team accelerating the plans they had for Leal.

When Leal first arrived in Pittsburgh, the plan was to start him out on the inside while slowly incorporating him on the outside of the defensive line. Leal mentioned that it took some adjusting to play on the outside due to the techniques being totally different but said that with a full offseason, he is ready to take on a “tweener” role.

“When I first got here my rookie year, it was focusing on strictly inside, but then T.J. got hurt, so I expanded to inside and out,” Leal said. “There’s just a difference in techniques. I wanted to get rid of that college, just get up the field mentality. On the edge there, I needed to get that speed stuff down and win 4, 5, 0r 6 steps. I adjusted well. So, going into this offseason and knowing what to expect, I trained like I would be a tweener.”

While Leal trained to be a positionless defensive player, there is no defined role for him just yet with the starting outside linebackers and the starting defensive lineman mostly solidified already. That did not stop the team from exploring Leal’s versatility in OTAs earlier this offseason. He stated that he lined up anywhere from being a wide-9 outside linebacker to a 3-technique defensive lineman.

“I feel like I can play from a 3-technique out to a 9-technique,” Leal said. “You know, I’m here and I know what to expect now. My training didn’t change much, sticking in that tweener role, I know what to expect. Honestly, I just want to be a weapon out there.”

Earlier in the offseason, Steelers general manager Omar Khan praised Leal for his versatility and stated that he expects Mike Tomlin to only increase the usage of Leal’s versatility this upcoming season.

“I think the great thing about DeMarvin is his versatility, and we’re not going to try to do anything that’s going to hinder his versatility,” Khan said at the NFL scouting combine. “We like that he can go inside, outside. Coach can utilize him in a lot of different places, and I foresee that continuing.”

During the exit meeting following last season, Mike Tomlin and Karl Dunbar told the Texas A&M product that the one area he needed to work on is his run defense. Leal did just that and noted that some moments last season on the interior were rough due to him just not being prepared enough but said that he worked hard this offseason in order to turn into an x-factor for the defense.

“They definitely told me to work on my run defense,” Leal said. “You know, especially working that there on the inside. It’s very important. Some moments last year it was there, and there were others where it just wasn’t. I have to be more consistent there.”

While the Steelers are hoping for huge second-year leaps from multiple guys, Leal’s development and growth will be crucial for the Steelers’ defense for years to come. With Leal and the additions of players like Keeanu Benton, Armon Watts, and Breiden Fehoko, the Steelers’ second unit on defense is forming quite nicely. Nonetheless, Leal will likely enter the season as a rotational piece but his spot on the final 53-man roster is solidified.

98 • DeMarvin Leal, Defensive End, Texas A&M
6-foot-4, 290 pounds, 23 years old, 2nd Season

Acquired: The Steelers drafted Leal with the 84th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft after he enjoyed a stellar career at Texas A&M.

Last season: In Leal’s rookie season, he appeared in 11 games and started in two of them. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals and his first NFL start in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers used Leal all across the defensive line and even slotted him in as an outside linebacker at times in 2022. Leal was injured in the Week 5 matchup with the Bills and was out on the injured list until his return in Week 13.

In 175 defensive snaps, Leal made 14 combined tackles, pressured the quarterback three times, and defended three passes.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) runs onto the field before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

College: Coming out of high school as an All-American, Leal committed to Texas A&M University to play his collegiate football. As a true freshman in 2019, Leal appeared in 13 games and logged seven starts on the defensive line. He finished the season with 38 combined tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Following the season, the team presented Leal as the top newcomer on defense.

In 2020, earned the team’s defensive MVP honors as he started all 10 games and recorded 37 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, four passes defended, and one forced fumble.

As a junior, Leal really took his level of play to the next level. He started all 12 games for the Aggies and notched a career-high 57 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. In addition, he added two passes defended and a forced fumble. Following the season, Leal was named All-SEC first team and Associated Press All-America first team. He was also a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award.

In total, Leal appeared in 35 games and logged 29 starts for Texas A&M. He tallied 132 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one interception, six passes defended, and two forced fumbles.

Salary cap and future: Leal is entering the second year of his standard four-year rookie contract with the Steelers. He will cost $1.18 million against the Steelers’ 2023 cap space. His 2023 cap hit includes a $940,768 base salary and a $238,072 bonus.

Leal is signed with the Steelers through the end of the 2025 season when he will become an unrestricted free agent.

The rest of the 90: