In a draft year full of uncertainty and criticism, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold — and now brilliant — move by selecting Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick.
Many fans raised eyebrows when Omar Khan and company passed on a quarterback, despite having a glaring hole at the position.
From the moment Harmon stepped into OTAs, he’s shown why the Steelers took the gamble. According to defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, Harmon has already earned the starting role at left defensive tackle.
“He goes out there with the ones,” Dunbar told PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh. “He’s our left-starting defensive tackle. You can write that.”
It wasn’t just surprising — it was borderline shocking. But now, it’s clear they had a plan.
The 6-4, 305-pound defensive tackle out of Oregon was a wrecking ball in college, racking up 55 pressures in his lone season in Eugene.
Derrick Harmon is ready to become the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense
That production alone made him a top-tier prospect. His relentless motor and high football IQ made him a perfect fit for what Teryl Austin wants to build on defense.
I can’t help but get excited. This isn’t another rookie hoping to earn reps — this is a first-rounder already making waves, already trusted to be an anchor on the line. That’s rare in Pittsburgh, a team known for making rookies earn every inch. Harmon? He’s bulldozing his way in.
Of course, this all traces back to Omar Khan’s conviction. Despite the noise, he stayed true to his board and didn’t reach for a quarterback. It was a risky move.
But instead of settling, the front office invested in a foundational piece for the future.
We’ll see growing pains — that’s part of any rookie’s journey — but the Steelers didn’t just get it right with Harmon. They nailed it. With Teryl Austin calling the shots and veterans like Cameron Heyward around to guide him, Harmon is in the perfect position to thrive.
This fall, don’t be surprised when No. 95 is blowing up backfields and reminding everyone why the Steelers are still one of the best at building from the trenches.