2025 NFL Draft: Steelers select Derrick Harmon in first round

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on April 25, 2025

On Thursday night, Pittsburgh Steelers fans waited in anticipation as the 2025 NFL Draft got underway. Would the myriad of mock drafts be anywhere near what they wanted to see the team do on day one? Would the Steelers address quarterback or go a different direction? When pick number 21 overall was announced, the Steelers remained true to what general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin stated in their pre-draft press conference by not trading away from a player they desired by selecting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

The Pittsburgh #Steelers select Oregon DT Derrick Harmon in the #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/I3fVsGHUXb

— (@steelcityundrgr) April 25, 2025

In the post-selection press conference, Khan and Tomlin both spoke to why they chose Harmon, emphasizing that getting stronger in the trenches is important for the team on both sides of the ball and that the pick addressed that. They also mentioned that the 6’5″, 310-pound defender received praise from Oregon and Michigan State for the type of leadership he showed in those programs and how Harmon has an “awesome sense of self” and “desire to be great.”

GM Omar Khan & Coach Tomlin talks to the media about DT Derrick Harmon. https://t.co/RCzDft3nb1

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2025

As a versatile, athletic defensive lineman, Harmon is one of the top defensive line prospects in this year’s NFL draft class for not only being able to diagnose and stuff the run but also get into opposing offensive backfields and disrupt. He gave Big 10 opponents nightmares trying to shift blocking schemes in order to keep him from shutting down their offensive capabilities.

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While there will be fans unhappy with the pick due to desiring a quarterback, warming up to Harmon should be an easy transition soon. While the defensive line has been a concern over the past two NFL seasons, especially vulnerable against teams that fielded big rushers and quarterbacks willing to use their feet, Harmon is at a level to compete right away. Training camp will show his true motor and will to play football.