Steelers cross on QBs, take Harmon with twenty first decide in NFL draft

PITTSBURGH — Regardless of quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart nonetheless being out there, the Pittsburgh Steelers eschewed the place all collectively and chosen Oregon defensive deal with Derrick Harmon with the No. 21 general decide Thursday evening on the NFL draft.

Steelers basic supervisor Omar Khan mentioned the group wasn’t tempted to draft a signal-caller with the decide.

“We have been on the clock,” he mentioned Thursday evening. “We obtained the participant that we wished.”

Harmon was one in every of a handful of gamers the Steelers recognized as one they would not commerce away from if he was out there. Khan mentioned the Steelers fielded a number of commerce affords, however they held on firmly to the decide.

“He has Steeler DNA for us,” coach Mike Tomlin mentioned. “It begins inside and upfront, and it is a man that is able to dominating that house versus the run and the cross, and so we’re actually enthusiastic about having him. … We weren’t concerned with contemplating buying and selling away from him and actually enthusiastic about getting him in right here and getting began.”

The Steelers entered the primary spherical of the draft decided to not let Aaron Rodgers‘ impending — but extended — determination about his future have an effect on their draft technique.

And in deciding on Harmon with solely two quarterbacks below contract, the Steelers seemingly signaled their continued confidence that Rodgers will ultimately land in Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, Tomlin acknowledged the result of the draft may have an effect on their pursuit of outdoor quarterbacks, together with Rodgers.

“What you do within the draft oftentimes impacts perhaps some expertise acquisition that occurs after,” he mentioned in Tuesday’s predraft information convention. “We’ll see how the acquisition goes this weekend.”

Harmon, who spent his first three seasons at Michigan State, is a right away youth infusion to an ageing Steelers line of defense anchored by longtime captain Cameron Heyward. Heyward, who turns 36 subsequent month, advocated for his group to select Harmon on an Instagram Reside feed earlier than the choice. And the appreciation is mutual. Harmon mentioned he fashions his recreation after Heyward.

“That was my first thought course of once I obtained the decision, was I am going to have the ability to decide Cam’s mind, be below his wing,” Harmon mentioned. “That could possibly be my vet now, and I can actually be taught from him. He is been doing this without end, since I used to be a child, so it would not be no different method I would need it, actually.”

Harmon was one in every of 9 defensive linemen hosted by the Steelers throughout their top-30 predraft visits. Although rumors of a shoulder situation swirled earlier than the draft, Harmon was evaluated by the Steelers’ medical employees on his go to. Khan and Tomlin mentioned they have been “extraordinarily snug” with Harmon’s well being.

“I am totally up, able to go,” Harmon mentioned of his shoulder. “I haven’t got [any] issues. I am able to get to work.”

Harmon recorded 5 sacks in his lone season with the Geese and exploded for 11 tackles for loss. He additionally led the FBS in 2024 with 34 quarterback pressures when lined up as a defensive deal with, and his 10.7% strain charge as a defensive deal with was second finest in FBS.

“Excessive urgency,” Tomlin mentioned, describing the extent of urgency in addressing the line of defense. “To be fairly sincere with you, there is no substitute for younger expertise. You do not have an opportunity to fill a top quality protection until you are stout inside and up entrance. It is a younger man, man, that has a possibility to be taught from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in that pile and be a major contributor for us for years to return.”