Although draft season has already been underway, the NFL Scouting Combine feels like the official kickoff of the NFL draft season. With two months to go until the draft, the combine gives prospects a chance to raise their stock by performing and measuring well. One prospect who has been climbing the ranks is Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. The combine has made one thing clear – Derrick Harmon is certainly on the Pittsburgh Steelers radar with the 21st pick in the draft.
Derrick Harmon Firmly on Steelers Radar at NFL Combine
Steelers Formally Met With Harmon
It is always interesting to keep track of what prospects teams hold formal meetings with at the combine. Though teams meet with more prospects than they’ll ever have the chance to draft, the meetings can provide an idea of what positions teams plan to prioritize in the draft. Pittsburgh made clear at the Senior Bowl and is making clear again at the combine their interest in this year’s defensive tackle class. As such, it is no surprise the Steelers met with Derrick Harmon at the draft.
Oregon DL Derrick Harmon had a formal meeting with #Steelers.
317 lbs right now. Says he can play 0 to 5 tech. pic.twitter.com/L5tM8J4iXI
— Ross McCorkle (@Ross_McCorkle) February 26, 2025
Strong Measurables and Testing
On top of their formal meeting, Derrick Harmon’s measurements at the combine are music to the Steelers ears. Harmon came in at a whopping 6’4″ and 313 pounds, pairing that size with long arms and big hands. Not only does Harmon try to play like Cam Heyward, he has similar measurements to Heyward, who Pittsburgh drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft.
For comparison since it's been made:
Derrick Harmon:
6'4" 1/2
313 pounds
34 3/8-inch arms
10 3/8-inch handsCam Heyward (out of OSU):
6'5"
294 pounds
34 1/4-inch arms
10 1/8-inch hand size— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 27, 2025
While Harmon didn’t participate in all the athletic testing at the combine, he did turn in a very impressive 4.95 second 40-yard dash. His 10-yard split, which is an important aspect of the 40-yard dash for linemen, wasn’t quite as good. But overall, there are little concerns with Harmon’s athletic abilities. Pair his athleticism with his size and tape, and it’s no surprise that Derrick Harmon is on the Steelers short list of targets with their 21st pick.
Defensive Line is a Top Steelers Need
Finally, it’s safe to say Derrick Harmon is a top potential target for the Steelers because they really need to beef up their defensive line. Heyward is still playing at an All-Pro level, but he’ll also be 36 years old in three months. Keeanu Benton is a young player who has showed serious potential on the Steelers defense. Behind those two, though, Pittsburgh is lacking talent at the position.
The debate for the Steelers will really come down to whether they want to draft a nose tackle or a Heyward-style defensive end. If they elect to take a nose tackle, Harmon probably isn’t their guy. Kenneth Grant from Michigan is the top true nose tackle in this class, but he might not be available when Pittsburgh makes their pick. But if they’d prefer a more versatile player who can play anywhere along the defensive line, then Derrick Harmon is absolutely in play for the Steelers in the first round.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
