Medical Concerns Revealed on Steelers Top Draft Target
Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan recently shared some NFL Draft intel he gathered around the league. And one piece of information could impact the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft.
Broaddus mentioned that Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon could fall because of some medical concerns.
So what is it that’s ailing Harmon? Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported that Harmon has a shoulder issue that could cause him to drop in the draft.
“You could be looking at him in the back half of the first round,” Garafolo said on PHNX Cardinals. “It’s a shoulder I believe. I did ask about that one today.”
The Steelers brought Harmon in for a pre-draft visit. Harmon, 21, solidified himself as a first-round pick at the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6-foot-4 1/2, 313-pound defensive tackle ran an impressive 4.95-second 40-yard dash and 1.74-second 10-yard split.
He currently ranks as the No. 27 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board.
Depending on how significant the medical concerns are, the Steelers could pass on Harmon in the first round. Trading back and still landing the massive Oregon defensive tackle could be another option.
In a joint three-round mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Field Yates, the Steelers landed Harmon at No. 21 overall.
“Harmon led all FBS players in pressures from a DT alignment last season (34). And while the defensive line is strong in Pittsburgh, the roster could start looking to the future,” Yates wrote. “Cameron Heyward will be 36 this season, so I like the idea of building with Harmon and Keeanu Benton. And as for the quarterback situation, I’m holding off.
“Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are off the board. It makes sense to wait until later in the draft (and sign Aaron Rodgers).”
Harmon’s 2024 campaign made a strong argument that should be the case, too. Last season, he had a career-high 45 tackles (27 solo), five sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed.
Before transferring to Oregon in 2024, Harmon spent three years at Michigan State, where he recorded 69 tackles (24 solo), 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defensed.
Harmon may not only be Cam Heyward’s future replacement, but also Heyward 2.0. The Oregon product has already received several comparisons to Heyward throughout the pre-draft process.
In fact, Harmon himself revealed he’s watched Heyward for inspiration at the NFL level.
“Definitely Cam,” Harmon said. “The run, how he plays that run. If I want to watch some run tape, I’m turning on Cam Heyward.”