The Steelers Trend In The Trenches Continue

After an offseason full of speculation about how the Steelers would use their highly anticipated No. 21 overall pick, the wait is finally over. There was plenty of buzz about a potential trade down to gain extra picks on Day 2, or whether they might invest the selection in a quarterback if the right one was available.

Much of that speculation stemmed from comments made by Omar Khan throughout the offseason, expressing a desire to recoup a second-round pick. On top of that, national media added fuel to the fire by linking Shedeur Sanders to the Steelers following his reported pre-draft meeting with the team.

But as we now know, the pick was Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. The 21-year-old boasts prototypical size and athleticism for the position, along with standout college tape that highlighted his disruptive presence—leading all interior defenders in total hurries last season.

Looking back, though, should it really have been a question where the Steelers were heading all along in this process?

With the 21st pick in the 2025 #NFLDraft, we select DT Derrick Harmon. pic.twitter.com/34y9H5GqdH

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2025

One constant we’ve heard since Omar Khan took over as the Steelers’ general manager is his desire to invest in the trenches. That philosophy has been on full display with first-round selections of offensive tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, a second-round pick spent on center Zach Frazier, and a fourth-rounder used on guard Mason McCormick.

With GM Omar Khan openly stating his intention to build through the trenches over the past few years—and with a noticeable lack of premium investment on the defensive side—it felt like only a matter of time before the Steelers addressed that imbalance. That moment came during the 2025 NFL Draft, when the prophecy was fulfilled with the first-round selection of Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, a high-upside interior disruptor.

But the investment didn’t stop there. Two of the Steelers’ next three picks continued that trend, with fourth-rounder Jack Sawyer bringing a tough, physical presence off the edge as a strong run defender, and fifth-round pick Yahya Black arriving with a towering 6’6”, 330-pound frame built to anchor the middle. Together, the trio gives Pittsburgh a new wave of reinforcements in the trenches.

Derrick Harmon in 2024:

– 55 pressures (1st)
– 10.7% pressure rate (2nd)
– 17.6% Pass-Rush Win Rate (4th)
– 10.5 tackles for loss + 5 sacks

Safe to say Pittsburgh got a stud at Pick 21.pic.twitter.com/xBv08Uxj9q

— Steelers Draft HQ (@SteelersDraftt) April 25, 2025

The popular team-building philosophy in today’s NFL is to dominate in the trenches on both sides of the ball—a strategy perfectly exemplified by the Super Bowl champion Eagles, who built their roster around that very blueprint.

With this selection, the Steelers have taken the next step toward building a roster in the same mold as the Eagles—focusing on dominance in the trenches. For this to be the case they’re banking on Derrick Harmon to not only help extend the career of future Hall of Famer Cameron Heyward but eventually take over as his rightful heir on the defensive line.

With all that being said, I want to make it known that I’m a big proponent of the Harmon selection. But more importantly—we want to hear from you. How do you feel about the Steelers drafting Derrick Harmon and their continued commitment to building through the trenches?