While areas like wide receiver and defensive back have received a fair amount of attention as “areas of need,” one could easily argue the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive line isn’t far behind. With three guys 30 years of age or older (Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and Dean Lowry), there is some cause for concern. Some of that concern could be alleviated by the play of DeMarvin Leal.
While most were very impressed by rookie Keannu Benton last season the same couldn’t be said for Leal and homes in his second year. This is where the cautionary tale for Benton may exist. Leal was forced into action rather early when T.J. Watt suffered a torn pectoral muscle in week one.
While not an outside linebacker trade, Leal was used in some ‘heavy’ packages if you will and performed above average considering his inexperience. One of the most difficult things for any edge player in pro football is being able to ‘set the edge’ keeping the ball carrier from getting outside. Leal did quite well in this regard ultimately playing in 11 games, starting two.
His sophomore campaign however just never seemed to click. He appeared in 12 games and had four starts and even had slightly better numbers than his rookie season, but something was off. There were times when he didn’t even get a helmet last year on gameday which left most of us scratching our heads a bit.
Entering this year, it seems Leal – at least in the first week – understood his offseason assignment. He has been much more active and more ‘visible’ than he was last season. By ‘visible’ I simply mean he’s a guy you have to notice because of his effort or overall play. Yesterday in ‘Seven Shots,’ where the offense gets seven chances against the defense near the goal line, Leal deflected a pass. The day before he had what would have been a sack of Justin Fields had defenders been allowed to hit the QBs.
What all of this means could mean very little at the end of the day. But should early improvement lead to bigger things during the season then that could take a massive load off of some of those elder statesmen mentioned above. Coming into this season, I honestly wasn’t sure if Leal was going to make the roster. Given the aforementioned Benton who big things are expected of, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams, Breiden Fehoko and rookie Logan Lee among others, Leal has a lot to do to make sure he’s one of those guys who make the 53-man roster.
I believe he will and we can all hope that his early success leads to bigger things for Leal and the Steelers in general in 2024.
Other Camp Notes
Turnovers! Rookie Payton Wilson turned heads with a strip of the ball out of the hands of Pat Freiermuth while newly acquired cornerback Donte Jackson got his first interception of Camp off of Justin Fields. The Steelers slid back the last couple of years in turnover creation and there’s no doubt that’s a major goal heading into the season.
The Number Two. If you had to ask “who is the receiver opposite George Pickens week one?” I’m not sure I would have anything more than a guess. That’s not good either. It seems everyday a different guy rises while another falls. We are less than a week in but what we really want is to see a guy separate from the others. Rookie Roman Wilson has shined at times but mostly out of the slot which is good because a scary presence is needed there, but whether it be Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins or Calvin Austin III someone needs to step up.
OL Shuffle. Spencer Anderson has seen time at guard. Mason McCormick has played both right and left guard. Nate Herbig has been with the first team at center more than Zach Frazier has. Broderick Jones is playing both left and right tackle. Confused? Don’t be. This is pretty typical this early on in Camp. Pat Meyer is getting a look at guys at different spots but also how well guys work together. Do Herbig and McCormick combo better than Herbig and Anderson? Does Frazier need more time at learning the line calls? This is all part of the process.
Thanks for your patience while we continue to make changes here at the website. Hoping to have these completed by the end of the week.
Photo courtesy steelers.com.
