NFL draft profile 2025: Derrick Harmon (Defensive line, Oregon)


Oregon Ducks DL Derrick Harmon (55) during the Big Ten Championship football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Oregon Ducks on December 7, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN
Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s a deep draft class on the defensive line this year. Does Oregon’s Derrick Harmon stand out?

Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.

While there are a lot of newsworthy defensive linemen in this year’s draft class, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon has immediately stood out to me as one of the best candidates for the Steelers’ first-round pick.

The basics on Derrick Harmon

  • Position: Defensive line
  • Class: Redshirt junior
  • Size: 6’5, 310 pounds
  • Projected draft round: 1

Defensive stats via Sports Reference


Derrick Harmon scouting report

If you take one word away from this scouting report, make sure it’s “disruptor.”

In the games I watched of Derrick Harmon’s, he was in the backfield a lot. He has a quick first step and good hand usage that led to him consistently darting by his blocker and into the quarterback or running back’s face. He was among the top college defenders in quarterback pressures in 2024, which is impressive for a defensive tackle (No. 55 in all clips — look for the one-leg sleeve).

(At nose tackle here).

While Harmon’s quickness is what stands out first, his power is another strength of his game. There are plenty of instances of him walking offensive linemen back on tape (at nose tackle again).

He also showed he had the strength to make plays against double teams.

Harmon’s power could be a little inconsistent. While this play is actually a good example of him holding the line and then beginning to rush after the flea flicker, it illustrates the point: straight arms and slow feet lead to a standstill, but when Harmon starts the bull rush, he quickly overpowers the left tackle.

While I wouldn’t call Harmon an elite run defender, he has a well-rounded game and all the tools to succeed at the next level.

However, there are some holes in his profile. Harmon’s pad level can get too high and his hands and feet occasionally stall out, leading to him failing to get much movement or going in the wrong direction.

(Blocked by the center and right guard below).

The play above also shows the other major con in Harmon’s game: his tackling. Most defensive linemen have a lot of whiffed sacks on tape — that’s just life when you’re chasing someone smaller and faster. But Harmon had a high number of missed tackles in 2024, even on plays when you’d expect him to corral the runner.

Still, there are some instances of him deftly navigating traffic to make the stop. He has the ability.

While Harmon isn’t the perfect prospect, he has a high floor with his tools but a lot of potential. It’s also worth noting that he played all over the Ducks’ defensive line, having successful reps rushing from defensive end, defensive tackle, and even nose tackle. He caused a lot of pressure rushing off of stunts, as well.

He can break through gaps in an even front and take blocks head-on in an odd front. He also has the size and athletic profile to succeed in whatever scheme he ends up in at the next level.

While the consensus around Harmon seems to be in the second round as of late, I see him as a solid selection in the latter half of the first. I think he’ll test pretty well and should continue to climb draft boards.

Strengths

  • Good size, plus athlete for position
  • Quick first step; routinely blows up plays by shooting into the backfield
  • Good power, promising bull rush
  • Versatile; can play all over the line, hold gaps, and rush on stunts

Weaknesses

  • Pad level can get too high
  • Not the best lateral mover or tackler; consistently failed to finish plays
  • Urgency can stall; not the most consistent

What others are saying about Derrick Harmon

The Draft Network

Derrick Harmon is a compact and twitched-up lineman with three-down ability and a dominant streak about him. … Quick and intentional mover. … Strong run defender. … Three-down ability. … Gets caught with high pads on occasion. … Struggles to stay involved against double teams in protection. … Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter.

Nick Falato of New York Giants on SI

Derrick Harmon is a tall, long defensive tackle with a top-heavy build and with a good first-step and violent hands. Harmon wins with finesse and power as a rusher, albeit he is a bit linear and stiff with his rush. … He’s a reliable run defender with good anchor ability, eyes, and hand usage to discard and locate. … He has missed way too many tackles in his career. He does have a solid first step; however, he has some athletic limitations that cap his ceiling.

Ryan Roberts of A to Z Sports

While at Michigan State, Harmon was mostly utilized as a nose tackle. We have seen Harmon in some condensed alignments with the Ducks as well, but also has played in various spots, including 3T, 2, 2, 4, 4i, and even 5 at times. His body type and athleticism allow him to do a lot. … Whether we are talking about his time at Michigan State or now, Harmon is maddeningly inconsistent on a snap to snap basis. It has gotten better while at Oregon, but it needs to continue trending upward. … Player Comparison: David Onyemata.

Derrick Harmon’s fit with the Steelers

From Harmon’s NFL.com draft profile: “‘He plays like a Raven or a Steeler. Off the tape, he reminds me of a young Cam Heyward but bigger.’ — NFC executive.”

That’s a strong endorsement.

While I’m not sure if I’d compare Harmon to Heyward just yet, the way he can turn on an absolutely devastating bull rush from time to time is a little similar to No. 97. Harmon still has some work to do as a run defender and when it comes to finishing plays as a pass rusher, but I came away from his tape impressed.

The Steelers’ biggest need outside of quarterback this offseason is defensive line, and a talent like Harmon would be a great pick in the first round. On a line with stars like Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith, he’d have favorable matchups and room to grow early on. His position versatility and background in the Ducks’ primarily 3-4 defense also makes him a great pick for a team like Pittsburgh.

TL;DR: Harmon is a well-balanced prospect who can play all over the defensive line and impress with both quickness and power. He’s a disruptive force in the interior who mainly needs to work on his consistency and tackling.

What are your thoughts on Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!

Steelers Release Edge Rusher Preston Smith

The Steelers have released veteran outside linebacker Preston Smith, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, clearing $13.4MM in 2025 cap space and $14.1MM in 2026. Pittsburgh will not have to account for any dead money from the move since they acquired Smith at the trade deadline in 2024. He had no guaranteed money left on his deal, and the Packers were already responsible for the remaining prorations of his signing bonus.

It was reported just over two weeks ago that the team was expected to release the veteran pass rusher. Smith played in eight games, registering just two sacks and two quarterback hits, but he was not active for Pittsburgh’s playoff elimination in Baltimore. Joining a group of outside linebackers that already included the likes of T.J. WattAlex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, Smith didn’t end up contributing much as a trade acquisition.

The Steelers had Smith working on a four-year, $52.5MM contract, the deal Green Bay awarded him in 2022 upon moving on from Za’Darius Smith. Staying in Green Bay for five and a half seasons, Preston Smith racked up 44.0 sacks with the team. This included four seasons with at least eight sacks; a 12.0-sack 2019 — when the Packers returned to the NFC championship game — headlined this successful stay. As the Packers wanted to free up more playing time for Lukas Van Ness, they moved on from Smith for a mere seventh-round pick.

Smith, 32, had requested a trade months after the Packers had shifted to a 4-3 scheme. Smith had played in 3-4 looks in Washington and during his first five seasons in Green Bay. While he slid into a second-string role in Pittsburgh’s long-held alignment (after starting nine games with the Packers last season), no major impact occurred to justify the Steelers signing off on a $12MM 2025 salary. While the Steelers could have tried to dangle Smith in trades, his seventh-round trade value midseason probably didn’t improve with his lack of a role in Pittsburgh.

As a free agent, Smith likely won’t fetch a contract similar to what he recently held, but as an experienced veteran, he’s likely to get some looks. As he approaches retiring age, Smith may consider how close a team is to contending for a Lombardi Trophy. Otherwise, he may search exclusively for a 3-4 scheme in which he can once again thrive.

Russell Wilson ‘Focused On The Steelers,’ Fields Re-Signing Still Possible

The Steelers acquired Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last offseason in the hopes that one would emerge as their franchise quarterback.

Things didn’t work out as planned. A calf injury to Wilson gave Fields the chance to open the regular season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. He led the team to a 4-2 record before a resurgent Wilson returned to the field and ripped off seven wins in eight starts. It looked like the offseason strategy had paid off: the Steelers were leading the AFC North and Wilson was publicly stating his desire to stay in Pittsburgh. Then, the Steelers lost their last four regular season games and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, leaving them with more questions than answers about their future under center.

Wilson has downplayed rumors of a reunion with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas, saying he’s “focused on the Steelers,” per ProFootballTalk’s Josh Alper. The veteran quarterback remains in “ongoing conversations” with the team, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wilson’s reported tensions with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are not expected to be enough of an issue to prevent a re-signing, either, per Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show.

Fields, meanwhile, is expected to have a market beyond the Steelers, per Schefter. Pittsburgh is still interested in re-signing him, but he would likely see competition for playing time, either from a rookie or another free agent signing, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

Ultimately, neither player established himself as a clear-cut franchise quarterback in 2024, forcing Pittsburgh to consider all of their options. With the 21st overall pick in the draft, a costly trade would likely be the only way to acquire their top prospect. The Steelers also have enough cap space to offer competitive contracts to Sam Darnold or even Aaron Rodgers, though the latter’s personality could clash with Mike Tomlin.

Support In Steelers’ Building For Retaining Justin Fields Over Russell Wilson?

As the countdown to free agency continues, the Steelers are still weighing their quarterback options. An external addition should not be expected, but maintaining a Russell WilsonJustin Fields tandem for 2025 would also be a surprise.

Owner Art Rooney II recently noted Pittsburgh will likely re-sign only one of Wilson or Fields this offseason while aiming to achieve continuity under center and also find a long-term solution at the QB spot. Wilson suffered a calf injury late in training camp which allowed for Fields to handle starting duties for the first six weeks of the season. The former Bears first-rounder helped his stock within the organization during that 4-2 span, but Wilson took the over QB1 gig when healthy.

Head coach Mike Tomlin‘s decision on that front was not unanimous, an indication of the support Fields had to continue as starter and, potentially, to remain with the Steelers. Indeed, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “some people” in the organization who prefer to re-sign the 25-year-old and by doing so allow Wilson to depart in free agency. The team is known to be interested in retaining Fields, so that update comes as little surprise.

Still, it became clear as the season wore on that Tomlin’s clear preference was for Wilson to remain atop the depth chart despite his and the team’s struggles down the stretch. The Steelers’ offense repeatedly came up short as a five-game losing streak ended their campaign in the wild-card round, illustrating the need for upgrades at several positions. Expectations would be tempered if Wilson, 36, were to remain in place – something which would require a more lucrative commitment than the veteran minimum salary he played for in 2024.

As Fowler notes, the prospect of a undisputed starting gig will no doubt be a top priority for Fields as he weighs his options. The Ohio State product has not developed as hoped as a passer during his career, but his age and rushing ability could make him one of the more intriguing QBs on the open market. Sam Darnold is the top option set to reach free agency, but a lack of proven passers (coupled with an underwhelming draft class) could leave Fields considering offers from a number of suitors.

One of those prospective teams could of course be the Steelers, especially if the sect in the organization which favors retaining him manages to convince Tomlin and/or general manager Omar Khan to go the younger route under center. Pittsburgh looms as a team to watch regarding a notable quarterback draft investment this year or next, as Rooney alluded to last month. Before a decision is made on that front, however, one will be required regarding Fields’ future.