With the offseason underway for 30 of the 32 NFL teams, it only makes sense that we'd take some time to reflect on the rookie class from the 2025 NFL Draft. Some teams crushed their selections (like the New York Giants, landing Abdul Carter, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo). Unfortunately, ESPN might not feel that way about the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Tuesday, ESPN released its two-round 2025 NFL re-draft. Last April, Steelers fans were thrilled as Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon fell into their lap with the 21st overall pick. This time around, however, the panel of experts at ESPN has general manager Omar Khan going in a different direction.
With Mason Graham still on the board in this hypothetical re-draft, the Steelers pounce with the 21st selection. Graham, a former Michigan standout who was considered one of the best prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, landed with the Cleveland Browns in a trade-back with the Jacksonville Jaguars to the fifth overall pick.
ESPN beat reporter Brooke Pryor admitted that Harmon was in consideration, but elected to roll with Graham in the re-draft.
"It was a toss-up between Harmon and Graham because fortifying the defensive line is still the best use of the Steelers' pick.
Though Harmon made a noticeable difference when healthy, Graham, a PFWA All-Rookie team selection, would have been a slight upgrade after starting 17 games for the Browns. He had seven tackles for loss and 49 total tackles this season," Pryor wrote.
The Pittsburgh Steelers would stick to their guns with Derrick Harmon in an NFL re-draft
While it's impossible to know exactly how Khan and the Steelers' front office would operate in a true re-draft, if given the chance at a do-over, we have no reason to believe Derrick Harmon wouldn't be their selection again.
Harmon dealt with a pair of MCL sprains in 2025—one in the final game of the preseason and one in the second half of the regular season. But when healthy and on the field, the big defensive lineman made a world of difference.
The rookie's biggest impact was felt in the team's run defense. With Harmon on the field (12 games), the Steelers allowed just 87.9 rushing yards per game. However, when absent (5 games), Pittsburgh's defense allowed a whopping 165.6 rushing yards per contest.
To be fair, Mason Graham was impressive in his own right. Though he recorded just a half sack in 17 games, he was disruptive and collected seven tackles for a loss.
Still, at just 22 years old and with raw, untapped potential, the future is remarkably bright for Harmon (assuming he can avoid the injury bug). The Pittsburgh Steelers likely would make the same pick, even if given a shot at a do-over in a 2025 NFL re-draft.