The Pittsburgh Steelers have some holes to fill on defense for next season and for the future that they will start to fill in free agency which opens on March 15. General manager, Omar Khan revealed a little insight specifically in regards to the NFL Draft on what he and his staff will be targeting in their first time at the ship's helm for the offseason.
Scott Pioli
Omar Khan speaks to participants at the HBCU Combine.
Khan spoke to Ray Fittipaldo, Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about a player that Kevin Colbert took in his last draft in the third round that shows some insight into what the new general manager is looking for this year. Khan spoke about the value DeMarvin Leal provides to the lineup and what he said revealed a little bit of what the Steelers will be looking for in the 2023 draft class:
"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,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said. “We like that he can go inside, outside. Coach [Mike Tomlin] can utilize him in a lot of different places, and I foresee that continuing.”
Credit: Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers DeMarvin Leal could be part of a trend of players blending between outside linebacker and defensive lineman.
Leal came to the Steelers via the Texas A&M Aggies and was a force to be reckoned with in training camp and started the season strong, but after a stint on the injured reserve list, he never quite looked right. The Steelers are hoping for big things from the man who will turn on the first of July next season and his versatility is something they'll be looking for in other prospects as they try and plug the holes in the defense.
Steelers Draft Targets
One name that is on the top of minds recently for Steeler Nation has got to be the University of Pittsburgh's Calijah Kancey. He had one heck of a combine performance for what that's worth, but the undersized defensive tackle, who people are for obvious reasons trying to bring up the Aaron Donald comparison, could certainly be a player in the Leal mold that would fit to join the Steelers' defense. The fact he went to Pitt can't be ignored because we all remember who the Steelers went with in the draft last year. 
Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Pitt DT Calijah Kancey officially ran a 4.67
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 2, 2023
That's the fastest time at the Combine for a DT since 2003 🤯pic.twitter.com/m9xr575XyV
Pitt’s Calijah Kancey is looking to prove he doesn't need the prototypical size needed to be a defensive lineman. He's looking to make plays as he did in college where he racked up 14.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games as a junior. He was a consensus All-American.
"He’s a strong and determined player, but Kancey is still going to be a hit-or-miss run defender due to his lack of mass and length," NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlien said about Kancy. "While he will get pushed around at times, his first-step quickness and short memory allow him to make tackles in the backfield. He’s a nightmare for offenses as a pass rusher. His twitchy feet can slide and reset points of attack. His leverage and motor are often too much for guards to handle alone. Kancey might be most effective as a rotational run defender and full-time, sub-package rusher, but his size will not define him in the NFL."
There are a few other tweener linebacker/linemen guys in the draft this year and that should play in their favor since it seems to be something they're coveting.
So, Steeler Nation, do you think Khan is smart to be going after these types of players? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
#SteelerNation
