by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – The 2022 season is only a few days away and on the southside of Pittsburgh, the Steelers are doing their final preparation for their opener against the AFC North division champion Cincinnati Bengals.
“I’m just waiting on the moment,” DeMarvin Leal said. “Trying not to get overly excited about it. Just be ready when I get my chance and do my job.”
Technically speaking, Leal’s third-round selection, 84th overall makes him the highest drafted defensive line taken in the NFL Draft since the Pittsburgh chose former defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Barring injury to starter Cam Heyward, Leal is going to be allowed to be brought along slowly behind the three-time All-Pro defensive lineman. The free agent addition of Larry Ogunjobi along with the healthy return of Tyson Alualu, who missed 15 games last season, solidifies the starting three up front defensively.
Heading into the draft Leal was viewed by most NFL minds to be best suited playing 3-4 defensive end which is where he currently resides along the Pittsburgh depth chart.
“Basically, just find my way,” Leal said. “One of the old guys are gone now (Tuitt) I got to step up. It’s not really pressure I see it like as a chance to just learn quicker.
“I was fourth string all the way until the Alabama game. Every defensive end in front of me got injured and I had to step right in there and play probably the majority of the snaps in the Bama game.
“Then I started the next week officially. That was 2019 my freshman year. Imagine getting thrown into the fire. It was definitely different. This is a better opportunity this time though because my body is more ready. I’m not coming off an injury. This is how I make my living.”
Pittsburgh hopes his assertion into the line-up is not due to injury, but the predictability of the NFL is one that could thrust the rookie defensive lineman into the lineup.
“He has gotten better,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said prior to their Thursday practice for Cincinnati. “He is a big strong kid. Got a lot of room to get better and grow. He’s probably further ahead in his pass rush ability right now than he is in the run game.”
Leal’s emphasis on being prepared might payoff with big dividends. We’ve come to learn the availability along the defensive front in Pittsburgh can be a process of fighting the war of attrition. Last season Steelers starters, Tuitt and Alualu missed a combined 32 games. Alualu was in uniform twice last year as Tuitt never to a single snap and retired shortly after the 2022 NFL Draft.
“Just taking tips,” Leal said. “Just seeing how they work. How they get off the ball. How they play attention to pre snap keys. Pretty much just taking it all the wisdom in.
“One guy can go down and I want them to know I’ll have everything together so I can play the game at full speed.”
In his final junior season at Texas A&M, Leal finished the season fifth in the SEC with 8.5 sacks and tied for ninth in the conference with 12.5 tackles for loss, leading the Aggies in both categories. Leal has built a solid but not spectacular resume up to this point.