Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to see big things from one of their second-year defenders.
There are several players the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping take their games to another level in 2026. However, NFL analyst Sam Monson is putting his money on the Steelers’ breakout player to be defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.
“I think you can argue that he’s already pretty good,” Monson said on his Check The Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson podcast. “But I do think Harmon could be a real impact playmaker for the defensive line. I kind of expect the entire defensive line to be better this year than it was a year ago, and Derrick Harmon could be in line for a jump.”
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.
That is exactly why Harmon is not bothered by the high expectations for him and has been doing everything he can this offseason to reach them.
“Just the little details of things, man,” Harmon said. “This league, you’ve gotta really be on your details and Ps and Qs. Everybody’s a good athlete in this league.”
Harmon also has a new defensive line coach in Domata Peko, but even he has quickly realized Harmon’s ceiling in the NFL.
“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.”
Brendan Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Second-Year Defender Tabbed Breakout Candidate
