By admin 
After the Baltimore Ravens ran all over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 Wild Card game, the Steelers knew their defensive line needed work. Outside of Cam Heyward, the team didn’t have a bona fide, proven interior defensive lineman. Keeanu Benton didn’t hit his stride until last season. So the Steelers took Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Harmon’s rookie season was generally successful, but insider Ray Fittipaldo firmly believes it could have gone even better, and he expects Harmon to take a massive leap this year.
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Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan and gave his perspective on why Harmon could take a massive step forward.
“He had a good rookie season, but he was hampered by injuries,” Fittipaldo said. “I know that was frustrating for him, not to have one, but two injuries that caused him to miss five or six games. So he’s the future, right? Cam Heyward keeps coming back, but eventually Derrick Harmon is going to be the anchor of that defense. They have that much belief in him. There’s more to tap into there.”
Fittipaldo’s assessment lines up exactly with what the Steelers had in mind when they drafted Harmon last year. Harmon looks poised for a massive season. Not just because of his own abilities, but because of the support around him as well.
Harmon Can Be the Future of the Steelers Defense
Fittipaldo continued to assess Harmon’s trajectory. This season, if Harmon stays healthy, Fittipaldo believes an improved pass rush will elevate his game tremendously.
“I think his pass rush could be better than it was last season. The injuries definitely factored into that. For a big man, he has a ton of athleticism to him. I kind of want to see what happens in a healthy season for Derrick Harmon.” He said.
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A knee injury in the preseason cost Harmon time. Luckily, it wasn’t as serious as feared at the time, though playing through it may have compromised his lower-body strength. The reality is that no player stays 100% healthy all season. It comes down to managing pain and staying effective despite it.
Harmon’s biggest area for growth is his pass rush. His film shows a stout run defender already. Fortunately, Harmon has two excellent mentors who will play a pivotal role in growing his game.
Harmon Has Heyward and Joseph-Day to Push Him to Grow His Game
Heyward is arguably a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest all-around interior defensive tackles in the NFL. Sebastian Joseph-Day brings a strong veteran presence, having played in numerous defensive systems as a key starter, and he’s played in, and won, a Super Bowl. Joseph-Day also learned from a local Pittsburgh legend during his time with the Los Angeles Rams: Aaron Donald. If two veterans can help Harmon soak in knowledge and elevate his game, it’s these two.
Harmon will also benefit from what has suddenly become a very deep defensive line. The Steelers aren’t just deep on the edge, their interior is stacked too. A rotation of Heyward, Harmon, Joseph-Day, Benton, and Yahya Black gives the position group real depth on paper. Now it’s up to defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to position his veterans to dominate while developing his young interior talent.
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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM.