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For the better part of two decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers were defined by stability. That began with Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback play from Ben Roethlisberger and extended to a consistent, hard-nosed defense that mirrored head coach Mike Tomlin’s personality. However, in the years since Roethlisberger’s 2021 retirement, Pittsburgh has been grasping for its next era. The 2025 NFL Draft presented another opportunity to either chase another franchise QB or reinforce the foundational identity that has always given the Steelers a fighting chance. With limited picks due to a bold trade for DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh had to make their shots count. And they did—most notably by selecting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers faced a critical crossroads. The most glaring issue remained at quarterback. Pittsburgh still doesn’t have a clear long-term answer under center in the post-Roethlisberger era. Yes, there is intrigue around whether Aaron Rodgers can hold up for a full season. That said, the need for future stability at the position remains. Elsewhere, the departure of running back Najee Harris in free agency left a massive hole in the backfield. The team was also looking down the barrel of an aging defensive line, with longtime captain Cameron Heyward nearing his 36th birthday. The defense’s interior presence had faltered down the stretch of the 2024 season. The challenge: replenish the defensive trenches, find a workhorse runner, and continue the quarterback search—all with just three picks in the first four rounds.
Here we’ll try to to look at the perfect move that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ executed during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Even with limited draft capital, general manager Omar Khan and Tomlin navigated the board like seasoned chess players. The crown jewel was Derrick Harmon, defensive tackle from Oregon. He was selected in the first round. Harmon wasn’t just the best player available at that slot. He was the perfect player for Pittsburgh’s needs. Harmon led all FBS defensive tackles in 2024 with 34 quarterback pressures and ranked second in pressure rate at 10.7 percent. His blend of power, technique, and motor makes him an ideal fit in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 scheme. He can anchor against the run on early downs while collapsing the pocket on third-and-long. For a team whose defensive front grew soft late last season, Harmon’s presence could be transformational.
Tomlin himself couldn’t contain his excitement, saying, “He has Steeler DNA for us, man. It starts inside and upfront, and this is a guy that’s capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass.”
That sort of conviction speaks volumes. It’s especially true considering Pittsburgh had other tempting options on the board. These included quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart. However, the Steelers stayed true to their identity, refusing to chase a potential QB savior just for the optics. Instead, they invested in the trenches—the place where Pittsburgh...
