Steelers pass on QBs: 'We wanted' DT Harmon

PITTSBURGH -- Despite quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart still being available, the Pittsburgh Steelers eschewed the position all together and selected Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the No. 21 overall pick Thursday night at the NFL draft.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan said the organization wasn't tempted to draft a signal-caller with the pick.

"We were on the clock," he said Thursday night. "We got the player that we wanted."

Harmon was one of a handful of players the Steelers identified as one they wouldn't trade away from if he was available. Khan said the Steelers fielded several trade offers, but they held on firmly to the pick.

"He has Steeler DNA for us," coach Mike Tomlin said. "It starts inside and upfront, and this is a guy that's capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass, and so we're really excited about having him. ... We weren't interested in considering trading away from him and really excited about getting him in here and getting started."

The Steelers entered the first round of the draft determined not to let Aaron Rodgers' impending -- yet prolonged -- decision about his future affect their draft strategy.

And in selecting Harmon with only two quarterbacks under contract, the Steelers seemingly signaled their continued confidence that Rodgers will eventually land in Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, Tomlin acknowledged the outcome of the draft could affect their pursuit of outside quarterbacks, including Rodgers.

"What you do in the draft oftentimes affects maybe some talent acquisition that happens after," he said in Tuesday's predraft news conference. "We'll see how the acquisition goes this weekend."

Harmon, who spent his first three seasons at Michigan State, is an immediate youth infusion to an aging Steelers defensive line anchored by longtime captain Cameron Heyward. Heyward, who turns 36 next month, advocated for his team to pick Harmon on an Instagram Live feed before the selection. And the appreciation is mutual. Harmon said he models his game after Heyward.

"That was my first thought process when I got the call, was I'm going to be able to pick Cam's brain, be under his wing," Harmon said. "That could be my vet now, and I can really learn from him. He's been doing this forever, since I was a baby, so it wouldn't be no other way I'd want it, really."

Harmon was one of nine defensive linemen hosted by the Steelers during their top-30 pre-draft visits. Though rumors of a shoulder issue swirled before the draft, Harmon was evaluated by the Steelers' medical staff on his visit. Khan and Tomlin said they were "extremely comfortable" with Harmon's health.

"I'm fully up, ready to go," Harmon said of his shoulder. "I don't have [any] concerns. I'm ready to get to work."

Harmon recorded five sacks in his lone season with the Ducks and exploded for 11 tackles for loss. He also led the FBS in 2024 with 34 quarterback pressures when lined up as a defensive tackle, and his 10.7% pressure rate as a defensive tackle was second-best in FBS.

"Extreme urgency," Tomlin said, describing the level of urgency in addressing the defensive line. "To be quite honest with you, there's no substitute for young talent. You don't have a chance to fill a quality defense unless you stout inside and up front. This is a young guy, man, that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward, and put his hand in that pile and be a significant contributor for us for years to come."