Steelers' AFC North Rival Opened Door For Big Selection Of Derrick Harmon

The 2025 NFL Draft has recently come to an end, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have made several selections, successfully adding new talent to their roster. The NFL Draft is an important event, requiring a lot of strategic planning while it is also reliant on the selections made by other teams to ensure desired players are still available. Interestingly, it seems the Steelers may owe a debt of gratitude to one of their AFC North divisional rivals for the availability of their first-round draft pick, the formidable defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

During a recent interview on 93.7 The Fan, Mark Kaboly, a Steelers insider, offered his thoughts on the Steelers' selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. A specific point of discussion involved the Cincinnati Bengals, an AFC North division rival, and their 17th overall selection of Shemar Stewart. Kaboly then elaborated on the impact of this Bengals' pick on the Steelers' own selection at the 21st position.

"The bad thing about that is, for [the Bengals] is that opened the avenue for the Steelers to be able to take [Derrick] Harmon," Kaboly shared.

During their discussion, both Kaboly and Jeff Hatthorn talked about the perception that the Bengals' selection of Stewart might have been a bit of a reach. Stewart was acknowledged as a top-tier talent at his position, primarily due to his impressive physical and athletic presence. 

However, when comparing their statistical output, Harmon notably outperformed Stewart. Throughout his entire collegiate career, Stewart accumulated a total of 4.5 sacks. In contrast, Harmon demonstrated a higher level of production, recording five sacks in his most recent season alone and amassing a total of 8.5 sacks throughout his college career.

The Bengals need to prioritize their defense in this year's NFL Draft was widely known. Their offseason moves heavily favored the offensive side of the ball, marked by the significant re-signings of two key wide receivers to substantial financial agreements. 

Their primary receiving threat, Ja'Marr Chase, signed a four-year extension valued at $161 million, a landmark deal that established him as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the NFL. Similarly, Tee Higgins, Chase's close friend and the Bengals' second wide receiver, also secured a four-year, $115 million extension, a contract that positioned him as the highest-paid clear "number two" receiver in the league.

Given the Bengals' clear need to strengthen their defense, it's highly probable that the Steelers anticipated, or at the very least strongly suspected, that Cincinnati would select a defensive player with the 17th overall pick. Furthermore, Kaboly elaborated on the direct influence of the Bengals' choice on the Steelers' subsequent selection at pick number 21.

"The Bengals just opened the free way for the Steelers to say 'okay Derrick Harmon, don't care what you offer us out there, we want this guy,'" Kaboly shared.

Kaboly suggested that the Steelers had reason to believe the Bengals would select Harmon, a player the Steelers had reportedly had always desired. Adding another layer to this situation, the Bengals are currently facing challenging contract negotiations with their standout defensive end, Trey Hendrickson. 

Reports have indicated that Hendrickson is seeking a trade, likely stemming from the Bengals' significant financial commitments to their offensive personnel. Despite playing on a defense that was statistically ranked among the league's lowest, Hendrickson impressively led the entire NFL in sacks during the previous season, underscoring his individual impact and value.

Steelers' Defensive Future Looks Bright

Despite the fact that one of the Steelers' prominent defensive players, TJ Watt, is also involved in ongoing contract negotiations, the team's multiple selections of defensive players in this year's NFL Draft clearly show their commitment to maintaining a strong defensive front. 

While much of the offseason discourse has centered on the unresolved quarterback situation, fans witnessed firsthand with the Bengals last year the critical importance of a strong defense. Regardless of how strong an offense may appear on paper, a defense can ultimately win or lose games for a team.

What do you think of the Steelers' defensive selections and the future of the franchise? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation