Which highly-rated defensive line prospect is the best fit for the Steelers?
With the Pittsburgh Steelers filling a major need at wide receiver in the D.K. Metcalf trade, and attempting to fill another by negotiating with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it seems increasingly likely the team will target one of two position groups with their top overall pick in next month’s NFL draft: running back, or defensive tackle.
This article looks at three players the Steelers may target in Round One from the defensive line group, while a later article will examine their best options if they use their top pick on a running back.
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (6’4-330)
Grant was a three-year starter on one of the best defenses in the country. He has ideal size for an interior defensive lineman, and combines it with great strength and technique. His quickness off the ball, and ability to gets his hands on blockers before they engage him, allow him to be effective against zone run schemes. Against gap schemes, he has the power to anchor in and not get moved off the line of scrimmage. Grant is surprisingly nuanced as a pass rusher, too. His go-to move is the bull rush, but he can win with his hands and execute club and rip moves as well.
Grant was excellent in big games throughout his career. He played well against Penn State and Ohio State in 2024, and was solid in Michigan’s run to the national title in 2023. His big-game experience against the best competition in college football should help him transition quickly to the NFL.
Grant can play too high at times, and he’s been susceptible to weight gains that have created issues with his conditioning. But if he can be more disciplined in those areas, he should be an impact player on the defensive line for years to come.
Just watched the OSU-Michigan game from November. Michigan DT Kenneth Grant (78) really popped. He looks like a guy who is going to be a DL fixture in the league for years to come.
Grant is the DT on the right for UM in the clips below. He shows great lateral movement for a… pic.twitter.com/tZgTlCY0xl
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) March 24, 2025
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss (6’4-300)
Some scouts have called Walter Nolen the most talented interior defender in this draft. There’s no question Nolen has athletic traits that are off the charts. His get-off is reminiscent of Jadeveon Clowney’s when Clowney was coming out of South Carolina. Nolen routinely beats blockers with his first step and is built for a scheme that allows him to penetrate. The Steelers have gravitated in that direction in recent years, particularly as they play more 2-4-5 nickel looks. Nolen has some scheme versatility, too, and can be moved around the line. That’s attractive to Mike Tomlin, who likes players he can slot into multiple roles. When you watch Nolen in the highlight clips below, and you see his explosiveness, and how disruptive he can be, it’s hard not to think he’d be great in Pittsburgh.
Walter Nolen at 6’4” & 295 lbs is a disruptive force on the interior—quick off the ball, explosive in the backfield, and stout against double teams as a 3-tech. Pairing him with Hunter & Will Anderson? Scary. If he’s there at 25, the Texans have to consider it. #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/IVY3yW8fdn
— THE RUN GAME (@leoisforgiven) March 20, 2025
The issue with Nolan is whether he can impact games on a consistent basis. “Most talented” player and “best” player aren’t the same thing. Nolen can get fatigued at times, and will start to play too high, and to give up early on plays. My biggest concern is whether, at 296 pounds, he’s built to hold up against some of the more physical run schemes in the NFL, particularly that of the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Granted, with Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton on the roster, Nolen wouldn’t need to be an every-down player as a rookie. But if Pittsburgh drafts him in Round One, they’ll expect him to become that player sooner than later.
Nolen has the potential to be a Pro Bowl-level player. How he’s used and developed, and whether his motor will run consistently, will ultimately determine his ceiling.
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon (6’4-312)
Harmon is the toughest of the three players here to evaluate. He played three seasons at Michigan State, where he was a solid but not spectacular contributor. He then transferred to Oregon for his senior year and immediately became a star. Harmon had five sacks and eight tackles-for-loss for one of the best defensive fronts in the country, as Oregon rolled to a 13-0 record and a Big 10 title before being knocked off by Ohio State in the national playoffs.
Harmon has elite length and strength, and can be a nightmare for blockers when he gets his hands on them. He can align as a one-technique on the shoulder of the center, where he’s almost impossible to reach block. Harmon can slide out to the three-tech as well, where his good use of leverage should allow him to fight off bigger guards and tackles. Harmon will be extremely tough to single-block, and by commanding double teams, he should free up Pittsburgh athletic linebackers to pursue the football.
The concern with Harmon centers on whether he’s a developing talent who will excel in the right scheme, like he showed at Oregon; or, whether he’s a one-year wonder who will struggle to evolve as a pro. That makes Harmon tough to evaluate. You won’t know until you know. Is he worth that risk? The Oregon film says absolutely. The film at Michigan State says not so much.
Derrick Harmon moves incredibly well for someone at 6’5/310lbs…
*Among NCAA DTs in 2024*
➖ 55 Pressures (#1)
➖ 17.6% Pass-Rush Win (#4) *snap minTwitchy, active, athletic. pic.twitter.com/rAKEeZupFa
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) February 17, 2025
Best fit for the Steelers?
Harmon and Nolen are both interesting prospects. They are both quick and physical, and their ability to penetrate fits what the Steelers want from their interior defenders. But there are questions about whether both can play consistently. For that reason, my preference would be Grant. He’s bigger, he’s produced at a high level for three seasons for one of the best defenses in college football, and he can step into an NFL huddle right now and make an impact. Harmon and Nolen potentially have higher ceilings, but Grant should be the one who is the most dependable and consistent.
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Grant is for sure DT 1 in my book as well. I am really surprised he is not rated higher than Graham. He seems to make more plays than Graham.
I think Graham’s versatility makes him attractive, and the fact he’s a three-down player. Grant will probably come off the field a lot in passing situations in the NFL, whereas Graham can play in any situation.
good point 3 vs 2
I like Grant but not above Graham. Graham is an animal who just moves differently.
Grant would be my first choice, sliding Benton over to the side opposite Cam.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s if Steelers Omar Khan can get two of the three NG’s that’s on this list the Steelers defensive front would be younger, faster, quicker, and bigger
I think Grant makes the most sense from a positional stand point, whereas I feel like Nolan maybe has the highest upside. Nolan will be more of the end in our scheme meaning we would probably double dip and get a day 3 nose? Any names you like for that scenario KT?
The big kid from Oregon, Jamaree Caldwell, could be a nice Day 3 pick. He’s a traditional NT and would be a two-down run-stopper in Pittsburgh’s scheme. Probably not a starter but I could see him being a decent situational player.
What would you think of the 449 pound DT from Florida, Desmond Watson, for that role?
At 449 pounds, that’s like getting two picks in one.
Harmon was a bit heavier at Mich St. and I thought he played the run decently. Someone at Oregon decided he should lose some weight and better himself physically. Hard to argue Oregon’s vision. The guy was a pressure machine. My only knock on him is the missed plays. If he made 10 percent more plays he would be a a top 10 pick. I have said this before but if he can find that blend from the Mich St. days to the present he could be a steal in the draft.
Walter Nolen has gotten by on his god given talent and it is pretty damn good good. But technique wise, he’s gonna have to accept being coached up. When he is talking, he’s the next Aaron Donald, that’s some huge cojones. His get off is elite and he can hold up against a strong block to uncover to finish plays. I don’t think we have the coaches in house to get the maximum out of him. Seen his name appear in second round mock drafts, so someone is hearing something. My guess is PHI ends up with another stud and maximizes his skill set with that IDL.
I am not as high on Grant as some are. Yes he’s athletic but that size just doesn’t dominate like it suggests. I seen a video of him chasing down a running back 20+ yards down the field. He doesn’t hold up against doubles in certain types of blocks, may have something to do with his leverage that can get coached out of him but I’m not sure the Steelers have the coaching staff for any of that. Cam is Cam but he also had one of the best in Coach Mitchell but who have the Steelers developed?
Loudermilk?
Leal?
Benton?
Good analysis. Nolen is definitely intriguing. He’s what Michaelangelo would chisel if he were sculpting a modern defensive lineman. He’d be a beast in Philly coming off the edge with the monsters they have inside. I think Nolen to the Steelers at 21 is too high, though. Too much risk involved. After PIT’s recent run of poor Round 1 choices, I want something safer in that spot.
I would like to have my 2024 draft crush who returned to school and showed he can play yet another DB position and very well might I add.
Jahdae Barron and let him man the slot. That was my first wish until the Steelers traded away the second rounder. Which I’m fine with. But I would have liked to have gotten
Barron at 21 and Darius Alexander at 52/53 or whatever it was. Then maybe take a shot the William and Mary kid to sure up the IOL for the future at 83. Now it seems like we have to go IDL at 21.
I wouldn’t be mad at all if we took Barron at 21. I saw him up close at the Combine. he looked great. Tough as nails and can play inside and outside. He feels like a Steeler.
Great article, coach. I agree, all 3 players are intriguing, but Grant does more for run defense than the other two. He has more upside than people think.