Player: DL Derrick Harmon
Stock Value: Purchased
Reasoning: With their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected DL Derrick Harmon. In most years, he wouldn’t have been the fourth interior defensive lineman off the board—let’s put it that way. He should be an immediate starter, especially without much competition. In the long view, the Steelers view him as the eventual replacement for Cameron Heyward. Those are mighty big shoes to fill, but he has time to earn it.
The Steelers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with six picks and exited with seven players. Yet they didn’t acquire an extra pick until Day 3, trading down in the fifth round. While they could have traded back in the first round, they didn’t want to trade away from Derrick Harmon.
That was a wise move for multiple reasons. For one thing, Harmon is a superior talent and should be an immediate starter. For another, the other top three interior defensive linemen were already off the board. Two years ago, when the offensive tackles tumbled early, they moved up too draft Broderick Jones. This year, they only had to sit back and wait, but trading back was not a realistic option.
As mentioned at the top, Derrick Harmon should be a plug-and-play starter. That says as much about the Steelers’ current situation, though, as it does about his talent. While he is qualified for that distinction, they don’t really have anybody else who is.
Earlier this offseason, the Steelers released Larry Ogunjobi, and did not add a starter-level free agent. They did sign Daniel Ekuale, but he profiles better as a rotational player. Derrick Harmon offers both the technique and athleticism to separate himself, he and should make an early impact.
As you probably know, Harmon begins this next chapter with a heavy heart. His mother passed away in the hours after the Steelers selected him in the first round. While he has a big family, he dedicated so much of his life to supporting his mother. She had the opportunity to witness him achieve the first step of their dream. The rest she will have to experience through his eyes.
With the new league year underway and the Steelers turning their roster over, it’s once again time to “take stock”. It took a while, but we finally saw some of that change the team talked about after the season ended. Certainly, the move to trade for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, not to mention the accompanying contract.
There is still a long way to go before we know what this Steelers team is going to look like. The dust is settled on both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. What other moves might the team make, perhaps unexpected acquisitions or departures? If they traded for one player, they could certainly trade for another, or trade one away. This is a Steelers team starving for postseason success, but how desperate are they for a playoff win in 2025?
