While the Pittsburgh Steelers as a whole delivered solid performances in their opening action against the Jaguars in 2025, not all players made a strong case for themselves.
Two such players, Roman Wilson and DeMarvin Leal, still need to make a convincing case for coaches and fans alike. While they deserve to be on the final roster when the Steelers' season starts for real in September, their roles are not yet defined.
Not that they played poorly in their first game of the year, nor did they do much to boost their stock either. We need to see a lot more from them before Mike Tomlin makes his selections for the final roster at the end of the pre-season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need more from two of their former third-round picks
Roman Wilson, Wide Receiver
Wilson, a highly touted player from Michigan, was drafted by the Steelers in 2024. However, in the 2024 pre-season, he sustained an injury, keeping him out for several games. Then, after recovering from his injury, he played just five offensive snaps the rest of the year.
This led many to question what was really going on with the young wide receiver. It came to pass that the reason he didn't play in 2024 after recovering from the injury was that he hadn't fully learned the playbook. Something that surely must have put him in Mike Tomlin's doghouse.
In Saturday's game against Jacksonville, it was the first time we've seen Wilson play real offensive snaps. Not that he had a poor performance by any stretch, it was more of an incomplete performance. He had limited playing time and didn't do enough to impress fans or demonstrate his readiness to step up in 2025.
Wilson did have two catches for 24 yards, averaging 12 yards per reception, one of which was 19 yards. However, given his 2024 season, he still needs to show more if he wants to move up on the depth chart.
It's doubtful a meager performance in the pre-season will jeopardize his chances of making the squad; however, the Steelers are in clear need of a No. 2 receiver. If Wilson steps up, it's plausible he could eventually fill that role, but until he shows more production, he's likely to stay as the third or fourth receiver until he does something to warrant any sort of promotion.
With two pre-season games remaining, he still has time to do that, but whether he does is a matter of speculation at this point.
DeMarvin Leal, Defensive End
Once touted as a potential number one draft choice in 2022, he ended up being selected by the Steelers in the third round. Since then, he has had average seasons and some injuries along the way. To say the least, he has not reached the potential many thought he could achieve.
With new additions to the defensive line in 2025 draft picks Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, and Jack Sawyer, that adds pressure for Leal to step up and be a difference maker in 2025. However, only one quarterback hit and no tackles against Jacksonville is hardly a way to impress Mike Tomlin.
Hence, this is his make-or-break season. If he doesn't step up this season, he'll likely play elsewhere in 2026. To stay in Pittsburgh, he'll need a big season to justify a new contract in 2026.
With two more preseason games left to play, perhaps one or both of them will step up and show they are ready to take the next step in their careers. If not, they may not last long in the NFL.