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With Shedeur Sanders still on the board, Pittsburgh opts to take Oregon defensive tackle

With Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders still on the board, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to bolster an aging defensive line by adding Oregon tackle Derrick Harmon. The 6-foot-5 rising star registered 45 total tackles during his senior campaign with the Ducks.

He made his presence known in the backfield as well, going for five sacks and two forced fumbles. Along with that, he used his long frame to defend two passes in 2024.

Following the massive decision, Pittsburgh fans took to social media to express their happiness, and some distaste.

Mixed Reactions After 21st Overall Derrick Harmon Decision

With an unsolved quarterback room, some Steelers fans saw Sanders on the board at No. 21 as a home run. However, general manager Omar Khan and Steelers brass saw the decision differently.

Despite some harsh criticism, other Steelers fans support the pick and are thrilled regarding Pittsburgh’s decision.

Harmon Becomes First Defensive Player Taken By Steelers In Round One Since 2019

With a strong defensive core, Pittsburgh has opted to bolster their offense the past five drafts. In 2019, the Steelers chose LB Devin Bush, who has since journey to several different NFL squads. With the defensive hiatus, it was time the black and gold brought in new blood.

Harmon joins Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton to form a powerful defensive line. With T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the edge, Pittsburgh now has a top-tier pass and rush defense.

Needless to say that the Steelers are happy they got their guy

The Pittsburgh Steelers were clearly very happy to land Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick. The Steelers had a need at the position entering the draft, and many were wondering if they were going to take quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders did slip to 21, but Pittsburgh knew

“He has Steeler DNA,” Tomlin said. “For us, it starts inside and up front, and this is a guy that’s capable of dominating that space vs. the run and the pass. We’re really excited about having him… we weren’t interested or considering trading away from him. Really excited about getting him in here and getting started.”

The Oregon product lined up all over the defensive line for the Ducks last season, and that versatility is something the Steelers value when it comes to their defensive linemen. The goal of the Steelers is to achieve a long-term tandem of Keeanu Benton and Harmon. If both work out with Nick Herbig on the outside, the Steelers’ long-term future up front looks very promising.

Get to know the Steelers’ first-round pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their much-awaited selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. In terms of what fans should expect when it comes to Harmon, here is a quick look at what he brings to the table as a player.

Interior Disruptor

Harmon is everything you want in a modern defensive tackle. He had 11 tackles for loss and displayed ability as a run-stopper, but is also a tremendous disruptor against the pass. Per PFF, he had an astounding 43 hurries in 2024 with the Ducks which resulted in five sacks and seven hits on the quarterback.

Versatility

Harmon lined up all over the Oregon defensive line in 2024. A-gap, B-gap, over the tackle, on the tackle’s outside shoulder – whatever was asked of him, he did, and did it at a high level.

The Steelers got a high-quality defensive tackle that can be the heir apparent to Cam Heyward. Should that be the case, this pick will be looked back on fondly.

The Steelers get another weapon up front in the first round of the draft: Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have added a big body up front in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With the 21st pick in the first round, they have taken Derrick Harmon, a defensive tackle out of Oregon. Below is a scouting report and everything else you need to know.

Stats & Accolades

• 2021 (Michigan State): Played 4 games before using redshirt (One tackle).
• 2022 (Michigan State): Played in 12 games with five starts (30 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, pass breakup).
• 2023 (Michigan State): Played in 12 games with 10 starts (40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, pass breakup, forced fumble).
• 2024: Played in 14 games with 13 starts (45 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles). Second-Team Associated Press All-American. Third-Team All-Big Ten.

What the Steelers are getting:

Harmon is an elite combination of size and length on the defensive line standing at 6’4 ½ and 313 pounds to go with 34 ⅜” arms and 10 ⅜” hands. He’s a force at the point of attack, winning with phenomenal game strength to overpower blockers and shorten the corner on guards. Harmon only tested in the 40 at the combine so we cannot exactly quantify his lateral abilities, but the tape shows a guy who simply wins by any means necessary. Harmon soaks up double-teams and likes to utilize an arm-over move to shuck blockers and surprise ball carriers who believed they had an open rush lane. Overall, Harmon will give an NFL team a new presence opponents must account for as he’ll be taking it to the offensive line over and over all game long.

Strengths

• Massive frame to plug gaps and halt double-teams at the point of attack
• Wins with surprising strength to shorten corners against guards and centers
• Great body control to wrangle quarterbacks in the open field
• Just looks like a pain to block down-in and down-out
• Elite length for an interior defender
• Strong hands/punch to keep himself clean when stacking

Weaknesses

• Looked tight-hipped and inflexible during field drills at the NFL Combine
• Tendency to halt foot speed when he doesn’t win pass rush early
• Could refine body composition a bit as he has excess weight around midsection
• Does not possess a finesse aspect of his pass rush tool box

Athletic Testing

• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 313 pounds
• 40-yard dash: 4.95 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.74 seconds
• Vertical jump: N/A
• Broad jump: N/A
• 3-cone drill: N/A
• Short shuttle: N/A
• Bench Press: N/A

Draft Night is finally here. Tune in and react with us as the names are announced.

The 2025 NFL Draft is finally here. The Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the NFL Draft.

While you’re following along, a reminder that our 2025 NFL Draft Hub is full of information on prospects and is an excellent resource as the action plays out tonight.

There are plenty of questions that will be answered tonight.

• Will the Steelers stay at their original pick, or will they trade back? Will any teams want to move up to 21?
• Will PIT shore up the defensive line, add some new life to their rushing attack, or maybe even take a new signal caller? Those seem like the most likely options.
• If the Steelers DO go quarterback, which do they prefer?
• If the Steelers go DL, is it Harmon or bust? Would they pivot to another position if he’s gone?
• What will our AFC North rivals do?
• When will star running back Ashton Jeanty be selected?

Ryan and Ryland will be hanging out in the comment section all night. Say hello, and feel free to ask any questions you might have. Let’s have a fun draft night, everyone!

The Steelers and Bills may make a deal.

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two hours from kicking off, and the Pittsburgh Steelers may already be in the process of putting together a draft-day trade.

According to Nick Farabugh of PennLive, the Steelers are “incredibly open” to trading back, and the Buffalo Bills are a team to watch in terms of a deal coming together.

In a loaded class of cornerbacks, the Bills could move up to get Will Johnson from Michigan or Jahdae Barron from Texas to be their second outside cornerback opposite Christian Benford. In this case, the Steelers could get a second-round pick in return, as the Bills have two second-rounders in this year’s draft.

In my final mock draft for USA Today’s Touchdown Wire, I predicted the Bills would be the team the Steelers trade with to get that second-round pick back, trading picks 21 and 83 to Buffalo in exchange for picks 30, 62, and 132.

Should the Steelers be able to get this haul to trade back, they should take it.

The Brian Daboll–Jaxson Dart connections preceding a report that pegged Shedeur Sanders as the QB2 on the Giants’ big board illustrates where we are on the NFL calendar effectively. This is peak smokescreen season.

Dart, though, was among the QBs to gain momentum as the pre-draft process wore on. The chance he becomes this draft’s second QB chosen, over Sanders, is squarely on the radar, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. While Ely Allen’s PFR mock placed Dart ahead of Sanders, the latter falling to the QB3 slot in this draft — after being viewed as close to Cam Ward late last year — would be a blow for the second-generation NFL prospect. Daniel Jeremiah’s final NFL.com big board places Sanders 20th and Dart 36th.

A Malik Willis-like fall seems unlikely for Sanders, given the number of teams looking for quarterbacks, but his stock has undeniably taken a hit during the pre-draft process. Dart would stand to benefit, with Howe adding the Saints, Steelers and Rams are showing interest in the Ole Miss product. All three hosted Dart on “30” visits.

A Rams-Tyler Shough connection also emerged this week, and while it seemed then like the team would not use its first-round pick (No. 26) on a Matthew Stafford successor (as opposed to arming the roster to help the aging QB), this Dart rumor gives such a decision some legs. Stafford is under contract for two more seasons, but his contract adjustment still has not been revealed.

The Saints were tied to Dart a few weeks ago, and they have certainly done plenty of work on the QB. PFR’s mock sent Dart to New Orleans, but the team is not expected to want to use its No. 9 overall pick for a passer. Of course, if the Saints balk, they run the risk of missing out on their preferred second-tier QB option in this draft. And they still do not have Derek Carr clarity.

If the Saints do delay their QB need at 9, the Steelers will become the team to watch. Clubs already look to be closely monitoring Pittsburgh for a QB pick, as Denver’s No. 20 selection has come up in trade rumors. The Steelers (No. 21) appear to be sending signals in all directions, as Mike Tomlin is believed to back Sanders. Dart has come up on multiple occasions here as well, and a trade-down rumor — as the Steelers initially did not expect Sanders to fall out of the top 10 — also emerged.

As Aaron Rodgers has continued to leave the Steelers hanging, they have a decision to make soon. If Carr is able to play in 2025, the Saints and Rams have starter-caliber options to deploy. The Steelers would have a basement-level option in Mason Rudolph, highlighting their high-stakes draft.

What team will pull the trigger on Pickens?

The NFL Draft is finally here. And with that comes the hope of fans everywhere for their respective teams to add stars to their roster. It is also where several trades could be taking place – one of which involves Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.

Fox NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that the Steelers have “taken and made calls” regarding Pickens, and Pickens has since unfollowed the team on Instagram. It appears the likelihood of Pickens being traded is greater than the odds of him staying with Pittsburgh. If that’s the case, there will be no shortage of suitors.

A bit of admin here, though – the Steelers shouldn’t trade Pickens for anything less than a third-round pick. Should they be able to get a second-round pick, that would be a big feather in Omar Khan’s cap. A third, though, feels more likely. With that said, here are a handful of teams to keep an eye out for.

Houston Texans

Houston will be without Tank Dell for an unknown amount of time after his gruesome knee injury he sustained this past December against the Kansas City Chiefs, and Stefon Diggs signed with the New England Patriots. Outside of Nico Collins, they don’t have any viable starting options on their roster, and it’s surprising they weren’t the team to make the DK Metcalf trade. Call Pittsburgh and make the trade for Pickens.

Trade Proposal:

• Pittsburgh Steelers receive: third-round pick (No. 79), fifth-round pick (No. 166)
• Houston Texans receive: WR George Pickens, sixth-round pick (No. 185)

Green Bay Packers

The Packers were name-dropped by Schultz in his report as a team with serious interest in making the trade for Pickens. They have several quality receivers of their own, but none that are legitimate No. 1 guys. Should they include one of those receivers in a deal for Pickens, that may be enough to get the job done.

Trade Proposal:

• Pittsburgh Steelers receive: third-round pick (No. 87), WR Dontayvion Wicks
• Green Bay Packers receive: WR George Pickens, 2026 fifth-round pick

Dallas Cowboys

If there is a team you may be able to squeeze a second-round pick out of, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas needs a vertical threat opposite CeeDee Lamb, and Jerry Jones is known to get trigger happy for receivers (he traded a fourth-round pick for Jonathan Mingo). If Dallas is interested ask for the second-round pick up front and see if Jerry says yes.

Trade Proposal:

• Pittsburgh Steelers receive: Second-round pick (No. 44)
• Dallas Cowboys receive: WR George Pickens

Think you can figure out which Steelers player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Steelers fans! We’re back for another day of the Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

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Behind the Steel Curtain in-5 instructions

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Steelers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

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