Players the Steelers can’t count on for the 2023 season

Steelers shouldn’t be starting DeMarvin Leal

A player who really came into their own over the course of the last season, DeMarvin Leal is a great athlete who is developing as a pass rusher. That said, the team really shouldn’t be trying to make him a traditional defensive end for this defense. He isn’t a great run-stopper, and with the shift to a more sub-package-focused defense, Leal should have a different role.

Instead of being a traditional starter, Leal makes a lot of sense as a pass-rushing interior defender in nickel and dime defense. There, he can use his quick first step and developing array of moves to apply pressure to the quarterback as opposed to getting washed out of run plays. It plays better to his strengths as a player.

Some people seem keen on using him as a base end and having him play 80% of the defensive snaps, and that just seems like a mistake. Put him in the best position to succeed heading into his second year as opposed to a traditional end. He shouldn’t be counted on as an every-down starter yet.