Steelers Seriously Not Worried About Derrick Harmon's Medical Background: 'We Were Comfortable With It'

With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their selection, and it is defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. This pick adds a promising young talent into a Steelers defensive line that has been showing signs of aging. Leading up to this moment, there was a wide range of opinions and predictions regarding what direction the Steelers would take with their crucial first-round choice. And, as is customary with every NFL Draft, there were certainly those who had doubts or wanted a different outcome for the team's initial selection.

One reason doubts were raised by some people regarding the selection of Harmon stems from his medical history leading up to the draft. In the post-first-round press conference held by the Steelers, General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed various questions surrounding their initial pick. When specifically asked about any potential concerns related to Harmon's medical background and how that factored into their decision-making process, Khan had the following response.

"No... we wouldn't have picked him unless our medical staff and we were comfortable with it," Khan responded.

In response to the question about potential medical concerns surrounding their first-round draft pick, Tomlin also both addressed the question directly as well as provided further elaboration and context to their decision-making process.

"[We] had the opportunity to get... him in front of our docs and we were extremel y comfortable with that component," Tomlin shared.

Leading up to the draft, a report surfaced suggesting that Harmon had been flagged by some teams due to a potential injury concern, which could have negatively impacted his draft stock and caused him to fall lower than expected. Despite this reported concern, Harmon maintained a consistent playing record, not missing a single game throughout his final three seasons, making the specific nature of the medical issue somewhat unclear. However, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network shed some light on the situation, reporting that the potential issue involved a shoulder injury that might have led to him dropping in the draft.

"It's a shoulder I believe. I did ask about that one today," Garafolo shared. 

Regardless of the exact nature of the reported injury, it is evident that the Steelers' organization does not view it as a significant worry and are enthusiastic about welcoming Harmon to their team. Throughout the NFL Draft evaluation process, Harmon has drawn multiple comparisons, with some even labeling him the next Cam Heyward. This is a considerable compliment, given that one of the current Steelers captains, Heyward, is a decorated seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Interestingly enough, Harmon himself acknowledged at the NFL Combine that he consciously models his playing style and approach after the esteemed veteran Heyward.

Heyward is undeniably a cornerstone of the Steelers' defensive line and a huge contributor to their overall defense. However, at 35 years of age, Heyward is entering the later stages of his career, making the acquisition of a young, promising talent like Harmon a strategic move for the team's future. This situation presents a valuable opportunity for Harmon to be directly mentored by a player of Heyward's caliber, especially considering Harmon himself has openly stated that he consciously models his playing style after the Steelers' legendary defensive tackle. With Heyward's current contract set to expire following the conclusion of the 2026 season, the timing of Harmon's arrival allows for a potentially seamless transition and the continuation of strong defensive line play for the Steelers.

The Steelers Have A Long Wait Until They Pick Again

By selecting Harmon in the first round, the Steelers have clearly prioritized strengthening their defensive line. The confidence in Harmon displayed by the Steelers' front office is certainly an encouraging sign for the team's future. Now, the Steelers will have to wait until the third round of the NFL Draft to make their next pick, which will be the 83rd overall selection. 

While opinions among fans regarding draft choices are always different, it will be fascinating to observe the Steelers' strategy moving forward, knowing that their front office ultimately made the decision they believed was in the best interest of the team.