On the heels of the 2025 NFL draft, I wished to take a look at and supply a few of first-round DL Derrick Harmon’s greatest stats from the 2024 faculty soccer season. The aim is to see that if all goes effectively, what the Pittsburgh Steelers may very well be buying at a giant place of want, and can embody double-dip choose Yayha Black and all the draft IDL class (31 qualifiers) for context.
First, let’s have a look at some spectacular run protection stats from Harmon. Listed below are solo run tackles, together with run tackles for a loss in 2024:
Harmon was top-of-the-line balances of the 2 stats. He had 25 solo run tackles, which is third-best amongst drafted IDL. The amount was definitely there, and added ten run tackles for loss, which ranked fifth. Being within the high 5 in each is spectacular manufacturing, little question.
That is extra encouraging than the early offseason research I did on what draft d-lineman makes most sense for Pittsburgh. That exposed a problem with missed tackles, on the fifth-worst 19.4 missed sort out fee towards the run. He did have a stronger 10.3 quantity in his final 2023 season at Michigan State, however a equally regarding 18.5 fee in 2022.
Right here’s to hoping that isn’t a problem that carries over with Harmon, contemplating comparable issues from the place final 12 months in Pittsburgh. If that’s the case, this can, knock on wooden, mesh effectively together with his splash playmaking skills.
How about cross dashing? Harmon’s strain and hurry manufacturing have been additionally high 5 on this class:
As soon as once more, nice worth in comparison with his friends. Exterior of recent Buccaneer Elijah Roberts, who performed EDGE most however match the Steelers’ IDL measurement mould, Harmon was as soon as once more top-of-the-line amongst drafted defensive linemen.
He ranked second within the group with 38 pressures and 23 hurries, which tied for third. Whereas run protection was the Steelers’ clearest precedence this offseason, robust manufacturing in each sides of the sport is great to see on Harmon’s resume.
Black, Pittsburgh’s fifth-round choice, was on the opposite finish of the spectrum as a cross rusher. He had the worst numbers of the draft class, with six pressures (T-least) and 4 hurries, which was lifeless final. This reinforces his limitations and repute as a big run defender within the center.
Whereas that’s true, we noticed on the primary visible that Black’s manufacturing towards the run wasn’t awe-inspiring in 2024, with 16 solo run tackles (T-Sixteenth) and 6 run tackles for loss (T-Thirteenth) out of the 31 qualifiers.
So, the potential Harmon might attain may be very obvious. Hopefully, he’ll carry over his playmaking prowess whatever the scenario to the Black and Gold. Within the best-case state of affairs, Pittsburgh acquired an excellent and one of the vital versatile skillsets at arguably their greatest place of want.
