The Pittsburgh Steelers spent their first-round pick this year on Derrick Harmon. That made a lot of sense considering their struggles along the defensive line. Their run defense got pushed around to end the 2024 season, including in a blow-out loss in the playoffs. While the Steelers had a lot of needs, improving their defensive line was near the top of their to-do list. Analyst Ryan Wilson believes that Harmon’s play up to this point has shown that the Steelers made the correct choice.
“Derrick Harmon, at the time, I didn’t love the pick,” Wilson said Wednesday on his With the First Pick podcast. “I struggled with Derrick Harmon at Oregon and how he would be used. The Steelers got this one right. I don’t think he’s been as good as Keeanu Benton was his rookie season a few years ago as a second-round pick, but he’s doing what they need him to do. I gave him a ‘B.'”
Harmon missed the Steelers’ first two games because of an injury he suffered in the preseason. However, when he returned, he made an instant impact. While he was on a snap count in Week 3 against New England, he still recorded his first NFL sack.
He’s continued to play well, too. Harmon has two sacks in seven games, and he’s helped improve the Steelers’ run defense. It was rough in their two games without Harmon, the Steelers allowing almost 150 rush yards per game. Since Harmon entered their lineup, the Steelers’ run defense has been better, only allowing over 100 rushing yards in three games.
Former NFL general manager Ran Carthon had similar things to say about Harmon during that same podcast.
“I went same and was kind of pleasantly surprised as you go through and watch more tape on him in this scheme and how they’re using him,” Carthon said. “I went with a ‘B’ as well.”
The Steelers’ defense as a whole hasn’t been great this year. However, Harmon has a been a bright spot. The lights haven’t looked too bright for him. Some people believe that the Steelers should’ve passed on Harmon to target a different position, such as quarterback. However, the young defensive lineman has been a solid addition to the team.
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