The Steelers signed defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, the team's first-round pick, to a four-year contract. Harmon, who played at the University of Oregon, was selected with the 21st overall pick.
"He has Steelers DNA," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "For us it starts inside and up front. This is a guy that is capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass. We are excited about having him. Really excited about getting him in here and getting started.
"There is no substitute for young talent. You don't have a chance to build a quality defense unless you are stout inside and up front. This is a guy that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in the pile and be a significant contributor for us for years to come."
Take a look at photos of the Steelers' first-round draft pick tour around Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (#1\ / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (#1\ / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (#1\ / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (#1\ / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (#1\ / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon (99) tours Pittsburgh following the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Harmon spent one season at Oregon, starting all 14 games in 2024 while earning second-team Associated Press All-America honors, as well as second-team All-America honors by Sporting News and FWAA. He was also a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches.
He finished the 2024 season with 45 tackles, 27 of them solo stops, a career-high 10.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Harmon appeared in 42 total games in college, starting 29, after beginning his college career at Michigan State. In three seasons at Michigan State he appeared in 28 games, starting 15, and recorded 70 tackles, including six and a half tackles for a loss, and three and a half sacks.
Harmon made a big impression on the Steelers from the moment they met him, as well as seeing what he did on the field.
"I think he has been impressive in every step of the process for us," said Tomlin. "His tape was impressive. We had great visits with him in Indy. He came to Pittsburgh, and we had a great day with him. With each interaction we got more and more comfortable that he was our type of guy."
Harmon dealt with unbelievable tragedy when his mother, Tiffany Saine, died just hours after he was drafted. Focusing on football has been his way of dealing with his pain.
"I'm doing the best I can," said Harmon during rookie minicamp. "I'm in football. I'm in my element. That keeps my mind off things. I'm still dealing with it. I'm just putting one foot in front of the other."
And doing so with an edge that has Steelers written all over it.
"You've got to have some grit to be in this organization," said Harmon. "You've got to have a bit of an edge to you and play with a bit of pride. I feel like that's me."
