The 2022 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the DeMarvin Leal 2022 NFL Draft Profile.
DeMarvin Leal Background
Position: Defensive Line
Size: 6-foot-4, 290 pounds
Class: Junior
2021 stats: 58 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
Leal had a great career at Texas A&M and helped Jimbo Fisher improve the program. Now, he is entering the 2022 NFL Draft.
Out of high school, Leal was a U.S. Army All-American who chose to stay in-state to play for the Aggies. He started seven games as a freshman and registered 38 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Texas A&M went 8-5 and won the Texas Bowl that season. Leal really improved as a sophomore starter, finishing the season with 37 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Behind Leal’s improvements, the Aggies went 10-1 with a win in the Orange Bowl. Leal’s final season in College Station saw him have 58 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. The Aggies finished the year at 8-4.
Texas A&M had to miss their bowl game due to COVID, but Leal was already preparing for the pros. He is currently projected to be a first-round pick.
DeMarvin Leal’s Strengths
Look at this spin move by DeMarvin Leal pic.twitter.com/oMtdwRIFX6
— Joe DiTullio (@DiTullioJoe) January 11, 2022
Leal was able to show off his versatility in college. He was effective from everywhere on the line of scrimmage. In the NFL, he will likely transition to an interior player most of the time, but his versatility can be an asset. Teams could use him at defensive end on early downs and defensive tackle on passing downs to get the most out of his unique skillset. He can excel at both positions. Defensive coordinators can move him around and use him as a chess piece on the defensive line.
Being that Leal will likely be an interior lineman at the next level, it is worth noting his athleticism. He had ample athleticism for a defensive end, so moving inside will give him even more of an athletic advantage. Leal moves well, including having solid agility, and is flexible. He has shown the ability to win with his athleticism on the inside or out.
He has a good football IQ to help him be successful. His football intelligence helps him line up in different areas of the field. He can read where a play is going and can tell when a screen is coming. On read-option plays, he usually attacks the mesh point, without giving up space to allow a big gain on a handoff or a pull by the quarterback. Leal keeps his eyes on the quarterback and gets his hands into passing lanes to defend passes.
DeMarvin Leal’s Weaknesses
Because he will be playing on the interior in the NFL, he will need to add strength. At times on the interior, he can be moved in the running game and his impact can be lost. Adding weight/strength to his frame, should help him win more matchups on the interior.
There are times when Leal takes too long to shed his blocks. Offensive linemen can stay attached for too long and it limits his ability to make plays on the ball. Adding strength will help in that area, but he can also work on his technique.
While he does have a few pass-rush moves, including a good spin move, he needs to work on a few things when rushing the passer. He could have a better plan going into plays to get after the quarterback, but even more importantly, he needs pass-rush counters. When his initial pass-rush move is shut down, he will sometimes just sit at the line of scrimmage and watch the rest of the play. If he had more counter moves and kept attacking, he could be more productive as a pass rusher.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Make sure to check out our brand new NFL Draft page for more content like the DeMarvin Leal 2022 NFL Draft Profile!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
3 Comments
Pingback: 2022 NFL Mock Draft March 1
Pingback: 2022 NFL Draft Big Board
Pingback: 2022 NFL Mock Draft April 28