What the Pittsburgh Steelers did this year in the NFL draft was unprecedented. They had the chance to take DT Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick! This decision underscores the team’s commitment to bolstering its defensive line amid a season of uncertainty, particularly regarding their quarterback situation, as they currently have only two players under contract for that position.
Harmon played his first three seasons with the Michigan State Spartans before transferring to the Oregon Ducks for his senior season. He certainly left an indelible mark in his one season at Oregon. He tallied five sacks and 11 TFLs, proving he has the upside to bolster the Steelers’ DT rotation. The Steelers hosted Harmon on of their nine allowed pre-draft visits for a reason and it shows. This change indicates that they are very much in on him.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office saw something special in Harmon’s talent. They expressed unequivocally that they would not deal him if he fell into their draft lap. They are full of praise for his talent. Yet for all the limitations they’ve identified, they still see amazing potential in him to satisfy their deepest needs. Head Coach Mike Tomlin talked about the “extreme urgency” involved in making the upgrade to the defensive line and had a lot of confidence in Harmon’s skillset.
Tomlin stated, “To be quite honest with you, there’s no substitute for young talent. You don’t have a chance to fill a quality defense unless you’re stout inside and up front. This is a young guy, man, that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in that pile and be a significant contributor for us for years to come.“
Cameron Heyward—who will turn 36 next month—was a key player in lobbying for Harmon. He even went on Instagram Live before the draft pick, urging the Redskins to choose Harmon. Harmon himself acknowledged this mentorship, saying, “That was my first thought process when I got the call, was I’m going to be able to pick Cam’s brain, be under his wing.”
During his pre-draft visit with the Steelers, Harmon’s health was thoroughly evaluated by the team’s medical staff. Both General Manager Omar Khan and Tomlin indicated they were “extremely comfortable” with his health status, particularly regarding an ongoing shoulder issue. Harmon, ever confident, has talked up his preparedness for the upcoming season. He said, “I’m all healed and raring to go!”
By going with Harmon, the Steelers clearly indicate their confidence in getting quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the future. Their conviction about the wisdom of this step shines through. The selection seems to suggest a desire to continue shoring up a stout defense while keeping options open with their current quarterback depth.
As Harmon heads to the Steel City, he’ll be taking his patented skills with him. He shares an attitude molded by one of the franchise’s lifetime veteran cornerstones and leaders. His path from the college game step into the NFL highlights the significance of developing and cultivating talent in-house across the franchise.
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