The Steelers head into the draft with a need at the defensive tackle position.
Cam Heyward has been a key piece of Pittsburgh's defense over the past decade, but he will be 36 this season. Heyward has also battled injuries throughout the past couple of seasons.
As the Steelers look towards life after Heyward, they get his replacement in Lance Zierlein's latest mock draft. They trade down five spots with the Rams and select Oregon DT Derrick Harmon with the No. 26 overall pick.
"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 is nowhere near the same caliber as Heyward, but is stylistically similar. The former Duck is a disruptive player who uses his size, length, strength and quickness to get into the backfield.
Harmon possesses the versatility to play up and down the defensive line during his rookie season while learning under Heyward before taking on a full-time role once the veteran decides to hang up the cleats.
Harmon, the Michigan State transfer, finished his colleigate season with 116 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, six passes defended and three forced fumbles.
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM.