Arthur Moats Sees 'Stephon Tuitt' In Steelers' DeMarvin Leal But Team Hasn't Helped Him Fulfill His Potential

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal is entering a pivotal third year in the NFL. The third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft has played in 23 games while making six starts. Leal got his first career sack against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 (2023), but saw his usage dwindle and was a healthy scratch for four of the last five weeks of the season and the Wild Card Round. Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats sees Leal's potential as an incredible athlete, but believes he still needs work on his technique if he's going to succeed as more than a rotational lineman. 

Moats said during a recent episode of The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke that he sees a certain former teammate when he watches Leal. Stephon Tuitt played seven seasons for the team before his retirement in 2022. Leal was one of the young players expected to fill his shoes after Tuitt left the team.

"He reminds me of Tuitt when I'm watching," he said. "And I loved Tuitt. He has everything to do it, he just needs to buckle down. I'm hoping [2023] was a wake up."

Moats elaborated that Leal showed some good things in his rookie year, but took a step back in his second season. The former NFL linebacker advised Leal to focus on technique during the 2024 offseason to maximize his athletic potential.

Tuitt had a modest rookie season in 2014. He played in 16 games while making four starts. He registered one sack while having 17 total tackles. He also had a forced fumble and four quarterback hits. He exploded in his second season with 6.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and an interception while starting 14 games. In his next five seasons, Tuitt never dropped below three sacks in a season, even in 2019 when he was limited to only six games due to a pectoral injury. 

Leal hasn't been able to have anywhere near the kind of productionvthat Tuitt did, but Moats still believes he has the potential to be more than what he's shown in his two seasons. 

Pittsburgh has a stout-looking defensive line group on paper, with established veterans like Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and Montravious Adams to go with young players like Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Keeanu Benton and Logan Lee. Heyward and Ogunjobi's health situations will be something to monitor. Benton had a promising rookie campaign in 2023 and will need to continue building on it. 

Steelers' Usage Of Leal Has Slowed His Growth 

Moats believes that the Steelers' varying usage of Leal in his rookie season may have hindered his development as a player. According to Pro Football Focus, in 2022, Leal played as an outside defensive lineman 104 times, while in 2023, he was only used in that position 33 times. He said the switching between inside and outside showcased that he needs more work on his technique. 

Moats highlighted that Leal has struggled with technique because of the switching between playing inside and outside.  

"I felt personally that him switching positions as much as it was happening, his technique when he was supposed to be back as an interior d-lineman wasn't as crisp and fundamentally sound," he said. "You'll see him penetrate at times and see him make a play, but when you're trying to bump back in and do what you need to do, that pad level isn't where it needs to be, and the hand placement isn't where it needs to be." 

Leal is a talented athlete who moves impeccably well for his 6"4', 290 lbs frame. Pittsburgh saw enough potential from him out of Texas A&M in 2022 to take him in the third round, now, he and the team need to find a way so he can reach it.   

Do you believe Leal has another level he can reach? What are your expectations for him in year three?