ESPN NFL Draft expert stays the course in round one despite recent Steelers quarterback rumors in brand new 2025 NFL mock draft
All of the talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is the quarterback position. That includes potentially taking one in the first round. But in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft for ESPN, he has them filling a need they have been hinting at all off-season… Mel Kiper Mocks Oregon DT Derrick Harmon to the Steelers at 21 […]
All of the talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is the quarterback position.
That includes potentially taking one in the first round.
But in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft for ESPN, he has them filling a need they have been hinting at all off-season…
Mel Kiper Mocks Oregon DT Derrick Harmon to the Steelers at 21 in latest ESPN Mock Draft
Harmon is a constant headache for opponents. He had five sacks and 35 pressures as an interior pass rusher last season, and he took care of business in the run game with 11 stops and 10 tackles for loss. Keeanu Benton and Harmon would be a good pairing inside.
I originally had Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart to Pittsburgh. He throws with accuracy and velocity, and he’d be a potential short- and long-term answer. We’re all still waiting to see what happens with Aaron Rodgers, so I’ll hold off on any quarterback moves for the Steelers until we know a little more.
– Mel Kiper, ESPN
As we sit just shy of two weeks out from the NFL Draft, If I were a betting man, I would expect the Steelers to draft either a DT or WR at 21st overall. You never know how the board will fall, so all options are on the table, but there has been a clear dialogue this offseason when it comes to addressing those two positions.
Trading for DK Metcalf helped fill that void on offense, but there have been very few, if any, substantial moves along the defensive line, despite the team knowing they have to sure up that unit…
"We know we weren't good enough down the stretch. Fortunately, we have the resources from a cap standpoint to address and maybe in free agency, said Omar Khan when asked about the defensive line during Tuesday's media session at the NFL Combine. "And, there's maybe some trade candidates out there. And this draft is a really good draft for the defensive line."
The Steelers bucked a lot of trends when they drafted a player from the west coast via Washington's Troy Fautanu in round one last year, as they typically stick to the traditional Big 10 and SEC schools at the start of the draft.
But Derrick Harmon could be the next in line, and it wouldn't be such a bad idea.
