Steelers Now
A former member of the Pittsburgh Steelers believes one of the team’s second-year defenders is in store for a big season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to see several players take their games to another level in 2026. However, former Steelers linebacker Vince Williams is confident that is going to happen for at least one of the team;s second-year defenders.
Williams believes Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is in store for a major breakout season.
“That guy right there made a world of a difference when he was on the field,” Williams said on Steelers Nation Radio. “And I’ll keep saying it, your rookie year is a whirlwind for those young guys, just based on you don’t know what to expect. The unknown is the biggest opponent that you’re facing when you’re a rookie. … I think the second year jump for [Harmon] is going to be amazing. I think he’s going to come out and tear it up.”
The Steelers selected Harmon with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon, and he didn’t disappoint as a rookie.
In just 12 games, the 6-foot-4, 313-pound Harmon recorded 27 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed.
It’s also easy to argue that Harmon is just scratching the surface of what he’s capable of at the next level, and not just because he’s only going into his second season.
Harmon missed five games with two knee injuries last season, which means he was likely never fully healthy at any point of his rookie campaign.
Harmon does have a new defensive line coach in Domata Peko, but he has already joined Williams’ belief of the impact Harmon could have this year.
“Big Harm is a specimen, man,” Peko said. “It’s pretty crazy getting him out there on the field and just seeing him move around. He’s a big dude, but he moves around like a linebacker. He’s really athletic, and (I’m) excited for him.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steeler Predicts Massive Jump From Second-Year Defender: ‘He’s Going to Come Out and Tear it Up’
