Fans Get Honest Insight On Steelers' Disappointing Third-Round Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through two drafts under the leadership of General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl. Both the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts have proven to be fruitful for Pittsburgh as the organization has been able to find decent talent at multiple positions, but overall the drafting talent has been tough for Pittsburgh over the last decade or so. A lot of that blame falls on the shoulders of former General Manager Kevin Colbert, as some of his questionable picks are still on the roster during the 2025 offseason.

The most regrettable pick in recent years for Pittsburgh is Kenny Pickett. The quarterback was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and his career did not pan out in Pittsburgh. Colbert was still the general manager in Pittsburgh during the 2022 draft, and he failed to find the organization's next quarterback while also making some other questionable moves. Colbert used the team's third-round selection on DeMarvin Leal, who has only been on the field for 26 games over the last three seasons.

Team insider Mark Kaboly spoke about Leal during the most recent episode of Kaboly + Mack, and he shared that the organization knew it would be a challenge to get Leal to be a consistent contributor.

"Leal was a guy that needed some work from the start," Kaboly said. "I mean I've heard before from important people that he didn't really get taught much at Texas A&M, so he came in here as green as possible. So that's what has taken him some time to get acclimated. You never know what they are coming from, is what I'm saying."

This conversation was being had while discussing why Pittsburgh should address the defensive line with the organization's first round pick in April. It is a deep draft class at defensive tackle, but Kaboly doesn't seem to think it will be easy to hit a home run by drafting an interior defensive lineman.

The Steelers likely made a mistake in drafting Leal, mainly because he was so raw coming out of college. The organization clearly has not done a great job developing him, as he has struggled to live up to the third-round label he earned back in 2022. Leal has recorded just one sack throughout his NFL career, and the future of Pittsburgh's defensive line looks bleak if he doesn't find a way to get his career on the right track in 2025.

Leal missed the majority of the 2024 season with an injury, and 2025 is the last year he will be under contract in Pittsburgh. This is going to go down as a career-defining season for the defensive lineman, but if he can improve his play and stay healthy, he may carve out a future for himself in Pittsburgh moving forward.

Steelers Will Be Addressing The Defensive Line Heavily In The 2025 NFL Draft

As mentioned, the defensive tackle position is so deep in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it makes all the sense in the world for Pittsburgh to double dip at the position. The Steelers are an injury to Cam Heyward away from having one of the worst interior defensive lines in football, so it is time for the organization to find the future at the defensive tackle position.

The Steelers should be in a good spot to draft a defensive tackle in the first round, as both Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon could be available. The franchise should be expected to address the position again on the third day of the event, as there will likely be some value to be found in the later rounds.

What do you think of Leal's shortcomings thus far in his career? Which defensive tackle do you want to see in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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