The Steelers three best value picks in the 2022 NFL Draft

Steelers second-best value

A pick I am more torn on not from a value standpoint but more from a fit, no one can say that DeMarvin Leal was a bad value in the third round. Once seen as a top prospect and potentially even a top-10 pick, Leal had some inconsistent tape that caused his stock to fall this season. That said, most expected him to be gone in the mid-second round at the latest, so the Steelers got good value here.

As a pass rusher, Leal has almost everything you want from a lineman. He has a wide array of pass rush moves that allow him to win from multiple spots along the line. He even saw some work at edge rusher, which further points to his ability to get after the quarterback. His burst, violent hands, and ability to react to other pass-rushing moves make him a potentially potent interior rusher.

His run defense is far less accomplished, as his size makes it hard for him to anchor and generate a lot of push. As well, he is slightly undersized, so one has to wonder how well he could play as a base end. That all said, the NFL is dominated by sub-package defense, and if Lean remains a great pass rusher, there is little reason to believe he won’t at least be playing 60-75 percent of the defensive snaps as a pass rusher. That kind of value in the third round is excellent.