With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have bolstered their defensive front by selecting Derrick Harmon, a defensive tackle from Oregon. Here’s a breakdown of his background, performance, and what he brings to the team.
Career Highlights & Stats
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2021 (Michigan State): Played in 4 games, recorded 1 tackle, used redshirt year.
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2022: Appeared in 12 games with 5 starts; totaled 30 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 pass breakup.
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2023: Started 10 of 12 games; posted 40 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble.
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2024 (Oregon): Started 13 of 14 games; tallied 45 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. Earned Second-Team AP All-American and Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
What the Steelers Are Getting
At 6’4½” and 313 pounds, with 34⅜” arms and 10⅜” hands, Harmon offers elite size and reach for a defensive tackle. He’s a physical presence on the interior line, winning with sheer power and strength. Harmon is known for absorbing double teams and using a powerful arm-over move to disengage from blockers and close in on ball carriers.
Though he didn’t participate in all athletic drills at the combine, his game film reveals a player who consistently finds ways to win in the trenches. Harmon plays with relentless energy and will be a disruptive force that offensive lines must constantly account for.
Strengths
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Excellent size and frame to clog running lanes and take on multiple blockers.
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Dominates with strength, especially against interior offensive linemen.
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Shows impressive control when chasing down quarterbacks in space.
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Physically tough to handle snap after snap.
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Uses length and strong hands effectively to shed blocks.
Areas for Improvement
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Showed limited flexibility and hip movement during combine drills.
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Sometimes stops his feet if he doesn’t gain an early advantage on the rush.
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Could benefit from trimming some midsection weight for better agility.
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Lacks finesse moves in his pass-rushing arsenal.
Combine Numbers
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Height: 6’4”
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Weight: 313 lbs
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40-yard dash: 4.95 seconds
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10-yard split: 1.74 seconds
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Vertical, Broad Jump, 3-Cone, Shuttle, Bench: Not reported
Overall, Harmon brings toughness, size, and a no-nonsense style to the Steelers’ defensive line—making him a valuable addition to their front seven.
