The Pittsburgh Steelers had a clear goal going into the 2025 offseason, and that was to get more physical on the defensive side of the football. Pittsburgh's defense was good for the majority of the year in 2024, but the unit completely collapsed at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs. The Steelers nearly giving up 300 rushing yards during a game against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs was the final straw, and the front office attacked the 2025 offseason with a clear goal being set to build a defense to stop the run.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs through drills as the team practices during 2025 mandatory minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers set out to upgrade and inject some youth into the defensive front during the 2025 NFL Draft. The organization selected Derrick Harmon in the first round of the event, and then later turned to Yahya Black in the fifth round. Both players have had good training camps and preseasons, and they are each expected to make a decent-sized impact on the defense in 2025. Harmon has higher expectations due to him being a first-round pick, and Seth Walder of ESPN believes he will end up leading rookie defensive tackles in sacks.
"Harmon will lead all rookie defensive tackles in sacks," Walder wrote. "He was the fifth DT selected, but my prospect sack model liked him the best, and he's in a fantastic situation, playing alongside [TJ] Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and [Cam] Heyward."
Harmon is going to be relied upon to stop the run, but he had a great pressure rate during his college career. He should be able to get a good push on the pocket and disrupt the opposing quarterback, especially with the talent he will be lining up with. He has arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the NFL on the outside with TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig will be coming off the bench behind them once he returns to full health. Cam Heyward can also still play at an All-Pro level, which will only help Harmon.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Derrick Harmon warms up prior to a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers in 2025.
Another important factor to consider is the retooled secondary in Pittsburgh. The trio at cornerback should force quarterbacks to hang onto the football for an extra half-second, which might lead to more sacks, or at least allow Harmon and other defenders to disrupt passes. As long as Harmon can stay healthy throughout the majority of the season, he will have the chance to lead his position group of rookies in sacks. This was Walder's bold prediction about the Steelers heading into 2025, and if it comes true, Harmon should find himself at the center of the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year race.
There is some cause for concern as Harmon injured his knee during the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. It initially looked bad, but it wound up just being a sprained MCL, and he should be able to return to the field in the near future. He might miss a game or two, but it is not as serious as initially thought.
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Steelers defensive lineman Yahya Black (78) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Have Another Promising Rookie On The Defensive Line
Harmon is going into his rookie season in 2025 with a ton of expectations as a first-round selection, while Black is flying under the radar and already impressing. He was drafted in the fifth round, and he looks to be a steal for Pittsburgh. He has a nose for the football as he has constantly been batting down balls at practice, and he has done a fantastic job at creating pressures in the middle of the defensive line. He is not going to begin the year as a starter, but he will likely prove to be a valuable rotational piece as the season moves along.
What do you expect from the rookie duo of Harmon and Black? Let us know in the comments below!
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