Oregon Ducks elite defensive star finally earning first round NFL Draft buzz via latest expert mock
You hear that? That faint far away sound? That's the drumbeat growing for Oregon Ducks' superstar defensive tackle Derrick Harmon as a first-round talent in the 2025 NFL Draft. For those that have been paying attention, his talent has been obvious since early this college season. Harmon, an athletic, powerful defensive tackle that thrives playing […]
You hear that? That faint far away sound? That's the drumbeat growing for Oregon Ducks' superstar defensive tackle Derrick Harmon as a first-round talent in the 2025 NFL Draft.
For those that have been paying attention, his talent has been obvious since early this college season. Harmon, an athletic, powerful defensive tackle that thrives playing as a three technique, has pretty much everything the NFL wants in a defensive tackle.
Harmon (No. 55) is known as a disruptive pass rusher, which he absolutely deserves credit for. Yes, defensive end Jordan Burch has missed multiple games, so the season-totals are skewed, but Harmon leads the team in total pressures (38), and quarterback hits (5).
More importantly than leading his team in those categories, Harmon is leading all defensive tackles in college football in the same stats.
In our latest two-round 2025 NFL mock draft, my colleague Ryan Roberts has Harmon going in the late first round to the Buffalo Bills.
Oh lookie here, my two beats collide. Bills Mafia, meet Ducks fans. Ducks fans, meet Bills Mafia.
Here's what Roberts had to say about Harmon:
Getting Ed Oliver a partner inside should be a priority this offseason. Harmon is one of the big risers in the 2025 class, possessing a really nice combination of flexibility, first step quickness, and raw power.
As someone that covers the Bills, however, I'm not sure the fit makes sense. Brandon Beane and Co. just selected DeWayne Carter in the second round of the last NFL Draft.
The Bills have always prioritized having options and a rotation up front, but with Ed Oliver under contract through 2027 and carrying a hefty price tag, I don't see Buffalo rolling three-deep at the defensive tackle position while also carrying two nose tackles. Using a first round pick on a player that won't be an impact player wouldn't make too much sense.
Harmon deserves all the love and respect of being talked about as a first-round talent. He fully deserves that. I'm just not sure how the fit would work with Buffalo.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
