As coach Mike Tomlin said before the draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers had an "extreme urgency" to upgrade the defensive line, and that's exactly what they did.
By passing on a quarterback at No. 21 overall, general manager Omar Khan solidified the Steelers' defense-first mentality.
Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon's selection might've given Pittsburgh an easy transition for when Cameron Heyward decides to hang up his cleats.
Harmon was just named to NFL.com's Preseason All-Rookie Team as selected by writer Gennaro Filice.
"Typically, this is the time of year when NOTHING is guaranteed. Coaches constantly stress that rookies -- no matter how highly they’re drafted -- must earn their keep before even thinking about filling a starting slot. Apparently, though, the Steelers aren’t doing that whole song and dance with Harmon. Instinctive and versatile with a well-rounded skill set, the first-round pick is the kind of defensive lineman who thrives in Pittsburgh.
"Harmon racked up an eye-popping 55 pressures in 2024 -- 12 more than any other FBS interior D-lineman, per PFF -- and now he gets to learn from a 15th-year pro with a doctorate in disruption, Cam Heyward."
After rookie minicamp, voluntary OTAs and mandatory mincamp, Harmon is already impressing his coaches.
"He goes out there with the ones," defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said last week, via PennLive.com. "He's our left starting defensive tackle. You can write that."
Harmon led the FBS last season with 34 quarterback pressures and as a defensive tackle, was second with a 10.7 percent pressure rate.
Last year, the Steelers' run defense collapsed en route to an 0-5 finish to the season, including the Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Harmon should help prevent that this upcoming season.