Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers’ bye week arrived early this year, but it also landed on a common NFL landmark for some in-season introspection. Teams play 17 games now, but four in, it’s close enough to call it the quarter point of the season.
As a result, we’ve seen plenty of NFL quarter-season-related articles, from awards to All-Pro teams to even all-worst teams. Over at The Athletic, draft writer Dane Brugler put together his quarter-season all-rookie team. Not a single Steeler made the list, but four made the honorable mentions: defensive tackles Yahya Black and Derrick Harmon, outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, and inside linebacker Carson Bruener.
Just four games into the season, there hasn’t been a breakout star quite yet. But of the Steelers’ rookie class, I think Derrick Harmon has definitely shown the most over the regular season.
Harmon has played in just two games, but he already has a sack, a tackle for loss, and a pass deflection that led to an interception. And while he’s been far from the lone catalyst for the turnaround, the two games he’s played have also been the Steeler defense’s best this season.
He’s also had a good number of plays where he made a clear impact even if it didn’t show on the stat sheet.
The Steelers drafted Harmon to fill a need on the defensive line, and so far, he’s looked like a player who can live up to that billing. It’s just the quarter point of the season, but he’s my pick for the best rookie so far.
Who do you think has been the best Steelers’ rookie so far? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
