![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/steelersnow.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/convert-32-e1741068645680.webp\")
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PITTSBURGH \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>The Pittsburgh Steelers have been waiting to re-stock their defensive line after two drafts of focusing on the offensive side of the trenches, and they did just that, drafting Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 21st<\/sup>\u00a0pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n In 2024\u00a0Harmon\u00a0was a second-team All-American, recording 45 tackles, five sacks and a pair of forced and recovered fumbles.<\/p>\n The interior threat bolsters a defensive line that already includes Cameron Heyward,\u00a0with whom\u00a0Harmon is often compared.\u00a0According to his\u00a0NFL.com\u00a0prospect profile, one NFC executive went as far as saying that \u201cHe plays like a Raven or a Steeler. Off the tape, he reminds me of a young Cam Heyward but bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n He stands six-foot,\u00a0five inches\u00a0and weighs 313 pounds.\u00a0His 4.95 second 40-yard dash at the combine\u00a0was tied for fifth-fastest of the 19 players at his\u00a0position, and the fastest of any over 300 pounds.<\/p>\n It\u2019s with this speed that he\u2019s able to reach the backfield shockingly\u00a0fast.\u00a0His placement on the line frequently varied. He\u2019s able to be used against tackles outside, or centers in the middle.<\/p>\n He showed to be capable in a variety of rushes,\u00a0whether\u00a0its\u00a0blowing past a lineman or sucking up blockers to give a linebacker a clear path through.\u00a0When he shares the field with T.J.\u00a0Watt, the ladder may become his specialty.<\/p>\n The Detroit native redshirted and played two seasons at Michigan State before his junior year in Oregon last fall.\u00a0He was linked to Pittsburgh for most of the spring, visiting the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in early April.\u00a0He was a consensus pick for the later end of the first round, even with his age. He\u00a0won\u2019t turn 22 until training camp.<\/p>\n Barring a trade, the Steelers\u2019 next chance to draft will come tomorrow in the third-round, with the 83rd<\/sup>\u00a0overall pick.<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/steelersnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/convert-40-788x443.webp\")