Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.
While there are a lot of newsworthy defensive linemen in this year’s draft class, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon has immediately stood out to me as one of the best candidates for the Steelers’ first-round pick.
Position: Defensive line
Class: Redshirt junior
Size: 6’5, 310 pounds
Projected draft round: 1
Defensive stats via Sports Reference
If you take one word away from this scouting report, make sure it’s “disruptor.”
In the games I watched of Derrick Harmon’s, he was in the backfield a lot. He has a quick first step and good hand usage that led to him consistently darting by his blocker and into the quarterback or running back’s face. He was among the top college defenders in quarterback pressures in 2024, which is impressive for a defensive tackle (No. 55 in all clips — look for the one-leg sleeve).
A lot of “almost” plays from Derrick Harmon in 2024 but I'm still very high on him as a prospect. A real disruptor up front who can get through the O-line in a hurry. pic.twitter.com/UvLd0l2CTV
— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) February 14, 2025
(At nose tackle here).
While Harmon’s quickness is what stands out first, his power is another strength of his game. There are plenty of instances of him walking offensive linemen back on tape (at nose tackle again).
He also showed he had the strength to make plays against double teams.
Harmon’s power could be a little inconsistent. While this play is actually a good example of him holding the line and then beginning to rush after the flea flicker, it illustrates the point: straight arms and slow feet lead to a standstill, but when Harmon starts the bull rush, he quickly overpowers the left tackle.
While I wouldn’t call Harmon an elite run defender, he has a well-rounded game and all the tools to succeed at the next level.
However, there are some holes in his profile. Harmon’s pad level can get too high and his hands and feet occasionally stall out, leading to him failing to get much movement or going in the wrong direction.
(Blocked by the center and right guard below).
The play above also shows the other major con in Harmon’s game: his tackling. Most defensive linemen have a lot of whiffed sacks on tape — that’s just life when you’re chasing someone smaller and faster. But Harmon had a high number of missed tackles in 2024, even on plays when you’d expect him to corral the runner.
Still, there are some instances of him deftly navigating traffic to make the stop. He has the ability.
While Harmon isn’t the perfect prospect, he has a high floor with his tools but a lot of potential. It’s also worth noting that he played all over the Ducks’ defensive line, having successful reps rushing from defensive end, defensive tackle, and even nose tackle. He caused a lot of pressure rushing off of stunts, as well.
He can break through gaps in an even front and take blocks head-on in an odd front. He also has the size and athletic profile to succeed in whatever scheme he ends up in at the next level.
While the consensus around Harmon seems to be in the second round as of late, I see him as a solid selection in the latter half of the first. I think he’ll test pretty well and should continue to climb draft boards.
Strengths
Good size, plus athlete for position
Quick first step; routinely blows up plays by shooting into the backfield
Good power, promising bull rush
Versatile; can play all over the line, hold gaps, and rush on stunts
Weaknesses
Pad level can get too high
Not the best lateral mover or tackler; consistently failed to finish plays
Urgency can stall; not the most consistent
The Draft Network
Derrick Harmon is a compact and twitched-up lineman with three-down ability and a dominant streak about him. … Quick and intentional mover. … Strong run defender. … Three-down ability. … Gets caught with high pads on occasion. … Struggles to stay involved against double teams in protection. … Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter.
Nick Falato of New York Giants on SI
Derrick Harmon is a tall, long defensive tackle with a top-heavy build and with a good first-step and violent hands. Harmon wins with finesse and power as a rusher, albeit he is a bit linear and stiff with his rush. … He’s a reliable run defender with good anchor ability, eyes, and hand usage to discard and locate. … He has missed way too many tackles in his career. He does have a solid first step; however, he has some athletic limitations that cap his ceiling.
Ryan Roberts of A to Z Sports
While at Michigan State, Harmon was mostly utilized as a nose tackle. We have seen Harmon in some condensed alignments with the Ducks as well, but also has played in various spots, including 3T, 2, 2, 4, 4i, and even 5 at times. His body type and athleticism allow him to do a lot. … Whether we are talking about his time at Michigan State or now, Harmon is maddeningly inconsistent on a snap to snap basis. It has gotten better while at Oregon, but it needs to continue trending upward. … Player Comparison: David Onyemata.
From Harmon’s NFL.com draft profile: “‘He plays like a Raven or a Steeler. Off the tape, he reminds me of a young Cam Heyward but bigger.’ — NFC executive.”
That’s a strong endorsement.
While I’m not sure if I’d compare Harmon to Heyward just yet, the way he can turn on an absolutely devastating bull rush from time to time is a little similar to No. 97. Harmon still has some work to do as a run defender and when it comes to finishing plays as a pass rusher, but I came away from his tape impressed.
The Steelers’ biggest need outside of quarterback this offseason is defensive line, and a talent like Harmon would be a great pick in the first round. On a line with stars like Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith, he’d have favorable matchups and room to grow early on. His position versatility and background in the Ducks’ primarily 3-4 defense also makes him a great pick for a team like Pittsburgh.
TL;DR: Harmon is a well-balanced prospect who can play all over the defensive line and impress with both quickness and power. He’s a disruptive force in the interior who mainly needs to work on his consistency and tackling.
What are your thoughts on Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!
