BREAKING: Steelers’ Former 1st-Round Draft Pick Shockingly Named as Top Preseason Trade Candidate—Is His Time in Pittsburgh Running Out?

This month, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be able to get a much better idea of what their 2025-26 roster will look like. Free agent pickups, NFL Draft picks and more will be battling it out for depth chart positioning during the preseason.

One player, in particular, has a lot on the line. Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, who’s technically more of an outside linebacker these days, is that man. The former third-round Steelers draft pick is facing plenty of pressure to perform.

With that in mind, could he be expendable? That’s what Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes. In his list of players teams should put on the trade block, Leal made the cut.

Steelers Urged to Part Ways With Former Third-Round Pick Via Trade

The Steelers have a defined hierarchy of pass rushers at the top. Players like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward set the tone for everyone else. That can be a blessing for those looking to fill a complementary role, although it can also serve as a curse.

Knox thinks the latter may come into play for Leal. Even with his position change and versatility he’s flashed at camp, it may not be enough to carve out a real role.

“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.”

Since going 84th overall in 2022, Leal has yet to break out for the Steelers. In 28 regular-season games, he’s mustered just 33 tackles and a single sack. The Texas A&M product seemed destined to improve a bit in year three, but an injury cut his season short. Now, Leal is attempting to find a spot in a crowded defensive line or outside linebacker room.

Should Leal play out his age-25 season in Pittsburgh, it seems likely that it’d be in a limited capacity. After that, the team would have every reason to let him depart in free agency. Leal may not count in the compensatory formula. To Knox’s point, why not take advantage of your current depth and try to snag a late-round pick right now?

Pittsburgh Defense Looking Sharp Again in 2025-26

If there’s one thing the Steelers can count on, it’s their defense. After ranking 10th in scoring and 13th in yards two seasons ago, they slotted in at sixth and 21st, respectively, in 2023. Last year, those figures were eighth and 12th. During the most recent regular season, Teryl Austin’s unit sat at 10th in EPA/play surrendered, per SumerSports. Pittsburgh’s suffocating run defense helped buoy the team’s overall ranking.

The Steelers’ secondary needed an injection of talent, though. That’s exactly what general manager Omar Khan gave it this summer. Out is All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, but in are cornerbacks Darius Slay Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols. Safety pickups Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark figure to add some talent on the back end. This year’s defensive backfield has more versatility and a higher potential outcome than 2024’s group.

Of course, the same mainstays like Watt and Heyward will be the heart and soul of the defense. As Knox mentioned, bringing in someone like Harmon makes the pass rush even scarier. At off-ball linebacker, Patrick Queen didn’t have the 2024 he wanted to but is still viewed as a premier player in the NFL.

If the defense takes a step back this year, it won’t be a talent problem. Hypothetically losing someone like Leal and gaining something in return would be an acceptable practice.