Steelers Now
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein has the Pittsburgh Steelers landing Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at 26th overall in his latest mock draft. Zierlein had a scenario where the Steelers traded back with the Los Angeles Rams.
On Monday, general manager Omar Khan hinted the Steelers are interested in making a trade to get themselves back into the second round. The Steelers would also fill a major need by landing the massive DT out of Oregon.
“Earlier in the pre-draft process, an NFC executive told me that Harmon “plays like a Raven or a Steeler.’ Well here we are, and the Steelers still need defensive line help after moving back in this mock,” Zierlein wrote.
Harmon, 21, likely solidified himself as a first-round pick at the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6-foot-4 1/2, 313-pound defensive tackle ran an impressive 4.95-second 40-yard dash and 1.74-second 10-yard split.
However, Harmon’s 2024 campaign made a strong argument that should be the case, too. Last season, he had a career-high 45 tackles (27 solo), five sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed.
Before transferring to Oregon in 2024, Harmon spent three years at Michigan State, where he recorded 69 tackles (24 solo), 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defended.
Harmon may not only be Heyward’s future replacement, but also Heyward 2.0. The Oregon product has already received several comparisons to Heyward throughout the pre-draft process.
n fact, Harmon himself revealed he’s watched Heyward for inspiration at the NFL level.
“Definitely Cam,” Harmon said. “The run, how he plays that run. If I want to watch some run tape, I’m turning on Cam Heyward.”
Depending on how the draft falls, he might just get the chance to learn from Heyward up close before eventually taking his place.
Alan Saunders and Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story.
