Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal could be a trade candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers this preseason. A former third-round pick, Leal hasn’t panned out in three seasons for the Steelers, and the team added defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But if the Steelers can’t trade Leal, then he is potentially a cut candidate this preseason.
On August 14, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport included Leal on his list of “one player each NFL team should cut” prior to the 2025 regular season.
Over three seasons with the Steelers, former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal has been mostly invisible. He has started just six games, played just 432 snaps and logged just one sack,” wrote Davenport.
“Leal is a rare physical specimen at 6’4” and 290 pounds, but so far, his size/speed combo has meant nothing between the lines. And with Pittsburgh adding Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer to a room with two established starters in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, switching positions isn’t going to save Leal’s roster spot.
The Steelers drafted Leal at No. 84 overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started two games as a rookie but only played 175 defensive snaps in 2022.
Leal has dealt with a variety of injuries over the past three seasons. Last year, he dressed for five games. Leal ended the 2024 season on injured reserve because of a neck issue.
Disappointing Steelers Tenure for DeMarvin Leal
The 2022 draft class is arguably one of the most disappointing in Steelers history, at least recent history. Leal is part of the reason why.
The lineman has played just 432 defensive snaps in three seasons. His most notable campaign was 2023 when he appeared in 12 games, making four starts. Leal posted 15 combined tackles, including two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and one sack in those 12 contests.
Last season, Leal had four combined tackles and one quarterback hit in five games.
Before Leal, the Steelers selected quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver George Pickens in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Leal Potentially a Steelers Trade or Cut Candidate?
Davenport wasn’t the first from Bleacher Report to suggest Leal could be on his way out of Pittsburgh.
Kristopher Knox named the defensive lineman a trade candidate on his list of potential trade chips for every team on August 6.
“After re-signing Isaiahh Loudermilk and using a first-round pick on Derrick Harmon, the Steelers may not have a role for Leal along the line,” Knox wrote. “During OTAs, Pittsburgh started to give the 25-year-old some work at outside linebacker, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show.
“For Leal, it’s a numbers game that he’s unlikely to win. The top of the OLB chart is set with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, and Pittsburgh added Jack Sawyer in April.
The Steelers will save $1.4 million in cap space whether they release or trade Leal, but they should make him available via trade before outright cutting him.”
If he stays with the Steelers, Leal could be used as a defensive lineman or edge rusher. The team has Leal officially listed as a defensive end on the roster but placed him at outside linebacker on the depth chart.
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are ahead of Leal on the edge rushing depth chart. Leal is listed as a second-team left outside linebacker with Jack Sawyer.
With those four players potentially ahead of Leal, and given the additions the Steelers made along the defensive line in the draft, Leal isn’t a sure thing for Pittsburgh’s roster.
That will naturally make him a trade or cut candidate.
Former Steelers 3rd-Round Pick Pegged Preseason Cut Candidate