Ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent’s College in Latrobe (Penn) from July 24 through August 12, 2025, Steel City Underground presents outlooks on each positional group’s depth chart and offers insight on how those players may fare ahead of the NFL regular season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reporting to Saint Vincent College this week to open their 2025 training camp. After a tough stretch last season where the defense gave up significant yardage during a five-game losing streak that extended into the postseason, a bounce-back year is crucial for the Steelers to contend in the AFC North.
This year’s defensive line is a compelling blend of youthful potential and seasoned experience. While some questions linger, the unit boasts immense upside, anchored by a familiar face and poised for a shake-up with this year’s first-round pick.
Here’s a closer look at the Steelers’ defensive linemen as we head into camp:
Defensive line group: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Logan Lee, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Domenique Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Esezi Otomewo, Jacob Slade
Ageless Wonder
Cameron Heyward is entering his 15th season in the NFL and continues to age like a fine wine. Despite many criticizing his extension with the Steelers last offseason, the now 36-year-old took his spot among the best as an A.P. First-Team All-Pro in 2024.
Heyward rebounded from an injury-plagued 2023 to secure eight sacks, the second-most on the team, along with 12 tackles-for-loss. His contributions place him alongside Steelers legends as well, quietly passing James Harrison for second-most sacks in franchise history, now behind his current teammate T.J. Watt.
Youth Movement
The defensive line is shifting to a youth movement, as General Manager Omar Khan used two picks in this year’s NFL Draft to shore up concerns along the front.
Oregon’s Derrick Harmon was taken with Pittsburgh’s first round selection. The Steelers list Harmon was a 6’4″ 313 lbs. defensive tackle, but he will be expected to play all along the line, likely spelling and learning behind Heyward. Iowa’s Yahya Black, a fifth-round pick from this year’s draft, is a massive addition listed at 336 lbs. who will pencil in as a nose tackle.
Stepping Up
Black could see some starting reps, even ahead of Harmon, depending on where third-year pro Keeanu Benton is slated. For now, Benton will play next to Heyward in Pittsburgh’s hybrid nickel, which uses a four-man front with two defensive linemen alongside two outside linebackers. Benton may also shift to nose tackle with Heyward and Harmon playing a traditional 3-4 defensive end.
Benton has been a consistent performer with 36 combined tackles and eight tackles-for-loss in each of his first two seasons. He will be expected to produce more, now with the release of Larry Ogunjobi.
Last Chance
2022 third round pick DeMarvin Leal has failed to live up to “draft steal” expectations thus far, but has also had a rough go of injuries to start his early pro career. It also doesn’t help that the Steelers have flipped-flopped on where they’d like Leal to play too. Out of necessity he’s had to play either on the line or as an outside linebacker, learning on the fly for both.
Leal, who enters the final year of his rookie contract, has reportedly bulked back up this offseason in order to play as a lineman, rather than as an edge. He will need to regain his spot among the pecking order with the additions of Harmon and Black.
Isaiahh Loudermilk, who re-signed in the offseason, enters his fifth year with the Steelers as veteran depth and a special teams contributor. He could also be on the outside looking in, in terms of his playing time – or making the roster – in 2025.
Other Depth
Logan Lee, the Steelers sixth-round pick in 2024, didn’t see the field. He’s a wild card who can contribute and push for a roster spot, especially if he shines on special teams. The same could be said for veteran Dean Lowry, who was with the team last season. A ten-year pro, Lowry saw spot duty and is most recognized for blocking a field goal against the New York Jets.
Daniel Ekuale is a seventh-year veteran joining his fourth NFL team. He spent time with the New England Patriots for the last four seasons after entering the league with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted rookie in 2019.
Esezi Otomewo enters his fourth season in the league after entering with the Minnesota Vikings as their fifth-round selection in 2022. He spent last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he made two starts.
Steelers Training Camp Outlook: DL Depth Chart appeared first on Steel City Underground.