Steelers rookie grades: Kenny Pickett earns a below-average score in first season
By Andrew Falce
Leal still has some work to do
Initial Grade: B+
Final Grade: C+
Criteria: Rotational player
DeMarvin Leal was a relative surprise as a third-round pick, but looking at his tape, it was clear why the team targeted him. While not a traditional lineman in the Steelers system, Leal was a great pass rusher in school with elite athleticism. He needed to bulk up a little and work on his run defense, but he could easily be a situational pass rusher for this team.
Early on, Leal struggled as the team was using him along the edge in place of T.J. Watt. Once he returned from an injury though, he was back along the inside and flashed some positive traits. While his final stat line isn’t anything special, he became a key reserve who provided some pressure on the quarterback.
While the occasional good snap is something to build off of, he needed to make some more impact plays in order to get out of the “C” range of grades. I think a full offseason in this system will do him a lot of good though, as Leal could become a talented interior pass rusher. It was only an average rookie season though.