Very soon, the Pittsburgh Steelers will welcome players to 2023 training camp. With the strategic approach taken during the offseason, the storylines all orbit around position battles and finding depth that simply wasn't there in 2022. While the fans will have plenty to take in, the coaching staff will have another chance to see what they can do with DeMarvin Leal. Coming off a rookie season that saw him at four different defensive spots, his sophomore season is all about digging deeper and playing as much as possible.
ABIGAIL DEAN | Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers DeMarvin Leal works on his pass rush moves in practice
Steelers Spread Leal's Gifts Around In 2022
As much as the Pittsburgh brain trust can be credited with getting the most out of their players, using Leal at multiple defensive positions began well before he was drafted in the third round by the Steelers.
His time playing at Texas A&M gave him the opportunity to show that he wasn't a one-trick pony. That isn't always a sustainable trait, though, with many players coming into college with the ability to play different spots, but are unable to do so without spreading themselves too thin. What Leal brings to the table that set him apart in college was that when he moved around, he maintained success. This is something Pro Football Focus also noticed during his pre-draft evaluation, giving Leal immense credit for the versatile game he put together as an Aggie.
"The Aggies have used him in every conceivable alignment along the defensive front, with significant exposure at 3-tech, 5-tech, and as a traditional 4-3 defensive end. Leal has demonstrated the ability to play with his hand in the ground or stood up, with no discernible difference in his capacity to impact the game."
It didn't take long for the Steelers to put Leal's multitalented approach to work, playing several snaps as in a two-point stance off the edge in the season opener, which wasn't even something Pittsburgh had thrown at him during training camp. Just like he had done throughout his time playing football, though, Leal adjusted and did what he always had done; produced and impressed.
By the end of the year, he had lined up at defensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker. Even for an organization that is known for getting the most out of its players, that's quite the portfolio from a rookie.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers DeMarvin Leal
How Will The Steelers Utilize Leal In 2023?
The focus for the 2023 offseason in Pittsburgh was to acquire depth, get bigger and get back to a grittier style of play. Leal may not have been a part of the 2023 haul, draft, or offseason pickups, but that doesn't mean he isn't tapped to play a pivotal role in what the Steelers' defense wants to accomplish in the upcoming season. The injury to TJ Watt that began a 2-6 downward spiral made it impossible to not address their inability to make up for the loss of such a legendary player and while Leal may not be the singular answer to that issue, he is certainly going to be a major factor.
It becomes fun for coaches when they have already seen that a versatile player can perform because then it's about plugging them into spots and situations to see what else they are capable of. Leal isn't Watt, nor is he Cameron Heyward or Minkah Fitzpatrick, but he does have traits similar to all of them when used at the right times in the right formations. If an injury to a star player did occur again as it did with Watt, Leal becomes that moveable piece to allow the staff to find the right mix to lessen the blow.
USA Today Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward
Defensive line coach, Karl Dunbar, was pretty direct when he was asked about Leal's potential in 2023. Dunbar is certainly one of those coaches who is excited about what they can do with such a strategic piece as Leal, making it clear that he doesn't see the dynamic second-year player as one thing or another. He is what he is and that is why the relationship has already been so productive.
"He’s just a big athlete. And when you’ve got big athletes, man, you do whatever you want with them.”
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt heads into the 2023 season with a mission
Steelers' Leal Ready To Assist Veteran Defenders In 2023
Being able to use Leal to find a solution to what might as well be called the "Watt Worry" is only one aspect of the unique way he can be utilized. The Steelers have players who are stars in Pittsburgh, but weren't meant to be on the field for all four downs. How do you give players like Heyward, Watt, Alex Highsmith, or Larry Ogunjobi a breather without also taking the risk of weakening a defensive point? You have someone like Leal on your team.
It's such a special gift to have, being able to take one of those household-name players out for a few plays knowing that Leal won't miss a beat. There are certainly players who are adept at coming into the game to give those kinds of breathers, but being able to find a player who can give that breather to anyone across the front seven is a rare find and one that isn't immediately noticeable. It required the keen insight that is all across the Pittsburgh front office to recognize what they had in Leal, and then to make that a reality.
Steelers fans the world across are eager to see what this improved Pittsburgh squad can do in 2023, especially when you have the multiple-position talents of Leal to look forward to. Just remember that when you see Heyward or Watt heading to the sidelines for a few plays it is no reason to fear. Instead, it should be a moment of excitement because that means it's about to be Leal's time to shine - and shine he most certainly will!
Where do you think Leal is best used on defense?
#SteelerNation
