Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers could have got a massive steal with landing Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at 21st overall. NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that if it wasn’t for medical concerns, the former Oregon defensive tackle would’ve been a top-10 pick.
“Some teams said if he was less beat up, he’d be a top-10 talent in the draft,” Breer said on The MMQB NFL Podcast. “And you know, you’ve got Cam Heyward getting older and so you got a natural replacement for him. This, I think, was a great draft for now and for going forward.”
According to multiple reports, Harmon has a labrum issue that could eventually require surgery.
Mike Prisuta of WDVE reported that Harmon’s MRI at the 2025 NFL Combine showed a partially torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum that caused several teams to move Harmon down their board.
Harmon was Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s favorite pick in the first round. He thinks he’s a perfect fit for what the Steelers want to do on defense.
“The natural progression from Cam Heyward to a guy like this, who is just disruptive, against the run, against the pass,” Brugler said. “You can line him up in a number of different ways. We know the Steelers can get kind of funky with what they do with their defensive linemen and ask them to do. He can do so much and be disruptive doing all those different things that you feel like you’re getting a steal at this point at 21… They went with one of their top needs with a player that should of not made it out of the top 20.”
In their post-draft media availability, general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin dismissed any worries that Harmon is hampered by the shoulder injury.
“We wouldn’t have picked him unless our medical staff was comfortable with it,” Khan said.
They never denied that one existed, either. But Harmon came to Pittsburgh earlier this month for a pre-draft visit and he was checked out by the Steelers’ personnel. Tomlin revealed no red flags showed up.
“We were extremely comfortable with that component,” Tomlin said.
Speaking with media over the phone, Harmon said that he didn’t even know what the worries were about.
“I don’t know man, I’m fully healthy ready to go,” he said. “I don’t have no concerns. I’m ready to get to work.”
In his three seasons of college football, Harmon did not miss a single game due to injury. He played 38 games.
After three dormant seasons at Michigan State, Harmon transferred to Oregon in 2024 and broke out in a massive way. He notched a career-high five sacks and 11 tackles for loss, while also registering 55 pressures, which was most in the FBS amongst interior defensive lineman.
Veteran Cam Heyward thinks they were lucky to land a talent like Harmon.
“Derrick Harmon, really good football player, even better person. I think everybody’s got a chance to hear his story. I...
