Throughout the pre-draft process, Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon made clear that he models his game after Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
Now, after being selected No. 21 overall by the Steelers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Harmon will get to learn alongside Heyward for the next few years. That should help the Steelers rebuild their defensive line and have the standard in the defensive line room passed from Heyward to Harmon.
For Heyward, who hosted a live “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward” draft podcast in Pittsburgh over the weekend, the selection of Harmon is one he’s very excited about. That said, Heyward doesn’t think it’s fair to compare a young player to a new teammate.
“I think, one, it’s not fair to compare another player to a teammate. I just don’t think that’s right. But Derrick Harmon, really good player, even better person. I think everybody’s got a chance to hear his story. I like the way he plays on the field,” Heyward said, according to video via the show’s YouTube page. “He can play a five-technique, a three-technique, a four-technique, good hands, good acceleration, and I think he’s only going to continue to just keep getting better.
“So I think we really lucked out with that, getting a guy like that early in the draft.”
Harmon brings great physicality, size and athleticism to the trenches, and projects to be the Steelers’ next building block along their defensive line.
Last season at Oregon, Harmon led the FBS in pressures for an interior defensive lineman, and checked a lot of the boxes the Steelers look for at the position.
The Harmon pick at No. 21 overall was largely praised as the Steelers landed a big, physical piece to help rebuild the defensive line, which was a significant area of need. That he models his game after Heyward and has similar traits is just icing on the top.
Adding Harmon to the room has Heyward excited for what’s to come.
“I think he’s got a good motor. You can’t expect someone to be refined off the bat and know everything that’s gonna happen in the game, but I think he plays with good motor. He finishes a lot of plays,” Heyward added. “He’s only gonna continue to keep getting better and I think he’s gonna fit great in our room.
“Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams. We got a good group of guys, and I think you add him into the mix. We’re gonna create a lot of havoc.”
Of course, Heyward recorded this prior to the Steelers releasing veteran defensive lineman Montravius Adams Monday, but the thought still stands from Heyward. Pittsburgh has gotten a lot better along the defensive line this offseason with the selections of Harmon and Iowa’s Yahya Black in the fifth round at No. 164 overall, along with the signings of guys like Daniel Ekuale, Esezi Otomewu and the re-signing of Loudermilk to go along with Heyward coming off a first-team All-Pro season, a young piece in Benton, and other depth options like second-year pro Logan Lee and DeMarvin Leal.
On paper, things look better. How it translates to the field is another thing, but the addition of Harmon has Heyward excited for the defensive line room moving forward.
Check out the full episode of “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward” below.
