With the 21st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected defensive lineman Derrick Harmon of Oregon.
Harmon, 21, is a 6-foot-4 ½-inch, 313-pound defensive lineman who has the ideal traits the Steelers look for in a defensive end.
He has over 34-inch arms, an 83-inch wingspan and ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash at his pre-draft workouts.
Harmon initially began his career at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon for the 2024 season. At Oregon, he recorded 45 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss, 5 sacks, 4 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Active against the run and a solid pass rusher, Harmon will help the Steelers replace Larry Ogunjobi at defensive end. The Steelers released Ogunjobi, their starter opposite Cam Heyward, in the offseason.
He also gives the Steelers perhaps a long-term replacement for All-Pro defensive tackle Heyward, who turns 36 in May.
In fact, on NFL.com, draft analyst Lance Zeirlein quoted an unnamed NFL executive speaking about Harmon's traits, "He plays like a Raven or a Steeler. Off the tape, he reminds me of a young Cam Heyward but bigger."
An athletic defensive tackle with big, heavy hands, Hampton moves well laterally, using his quickness to slide past guards in pass-rush situations. He has excellent swim and rip moves and uses his hands well to get past would-be blockers.
Harmon also has the strength to hold up against double teams in the running game and has a relentless style that the Steelers will appreciate.
Durable, Harmon also appeared in 38 consecutive games to finish his collegiate career, wracking up 116 tackles, including 18 for a loss, and 8.5 sacks.
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon
The Oregon Ducks take on the Idaho Vandals at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on August 31, 2024 (Isaac Wasserman/Eric Evans Photo)
The Oregon Ducks take on the the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on October 12, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 16th, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin (Eric Evans Photography / Chris Poulsen)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 2, 2024. (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on October 12, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Boise State Broncos at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on September 7, 2024. (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the the University of Illinois at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on October 26, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the the University of Illinois at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on October 26, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)
The Oregon Ducks take on the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 7, 2024 (Eric Evans Photography)
He should immediately be a factor as a defensive end in the Steelers' 3-4 defense as an end and find a place as an interior pass rusher in the team's nickel and dime defenses. Harmon led all FBS defensive linemen in 2024 with 55 pressures, 12 more than the next closest defensive tackle.
His addition could mean the Steelers could continue to play Keeanu Benton at nose tackle, or, if they're able to acquire a nose tackle elsewhere in this draft, they could use Harmon in a rotation with Heyward and Benton in the nickel and dime and at defensive end.
While Heyward was named first-team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career in 2024, his snap count went down to about 70 percent. He had typically played 80 percent or more of the defensive snaps.
When Heyward was on the field, the Steelers allowed 3.6 yards per carry on the ground. When he was not, the Steelers gave up 5.1 yards per rushing attempt.
