ESPN Analyst Predicts Steeler Will Win Defensive Rookie of the Year
ESPN analyst Seth Walder predicts Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon will win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers used five of their seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on defenders, giving themselves a better chance to have the eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year on their roster. ESPN analyst Seth Walder believes that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
Walder predicts Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon will win this year’s DROY.
“Derrick Harmon, DT, Steelers.” Walder writes. “Pass rushing wins awards, and Harmon had the second-highest pressure rate at defensive tackle in the FBS last season. He’ll also get less attention next to Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.”
Harmon, 21, made a strong case as a first-round talent. In 2024, he recorded 45 tackles, five sacks and a pair of forced and recovered fumbles at Oregon.
That’s exactly what happened as Pittsburgh selected Harmon with its first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. There’s a strong argument he should have gone a lot higher, too.
Many believe Harmon would have been a top 10 pick if it weren’t for injury concerns surrounding his shoulder. His MRI at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine pushed him down draft boards as it showed a partially torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum.
However, he and the Steelers have consistently dismissed any worries regarding the issue since.
“Nothing’s wrong with my shoulder,” Harmon said. “I’m 100 percent healthy, ready to go.”
In his three seasons of college football, Harmon did not miss a single game due to injury. He played 38 games.
If Harmon can stay healthy and translate his play to the next level, he will surely have a good opportunity to earn some hardware by the end of his rookie season and end Pittsburgh’s drought of winning the award.
The Steelers last player to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was linebacker Kendrell Bell in 2001.