Taking stock.
Entering the offseason, Pittsburgh had some clear deficiencies which needed fixing.
Quarterback, wide receiver, running back and the defensive line were the main areas of need. The need for a wide receiver was lessened thanks to the trade for DK Metcalf and the potential effects it could have on the offence. Read about the new kid on the block at Steeler nation.
This left three obvious needs depending on which way the draft board fell.
As it turns out, the Steelers had their pick of worthwhile prospects at all positions by the time they were on the clock. Down the stretch of the season, the Pittsburgh defence began to get bullied all over the field. Opposing offences were running it down the throat of the defence at will.
To help rectify this, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Derrick Harmon with their first round pick.
Recipe for success
As we have seen most famously with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and, in more recent years, Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback’s worst enemy is pressure up the middle.
The reason is, it often blocks their vision and means they cannot step up into the pocket and into throws.
Harmon led the Football Bowl Subdivision in pressures from an interior defensive lineman with 55. According to Pro Football Focus, he also had a 26.5% win rate on pass rush sets. This was second among interior lineman again in the FBS.
Despite these pass rushing statistics, most draft analysts have him down as a solid run defender as well, making him a well-rounded defensive lineman.
This is where this pick has the potential to be a master stroke. Pittsburgh have potentially the deepest set of pass rushers in the league with TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig all flashing moments of brilliance.
With the run defence being upgraded now, this should mean that opposing offenses will be more likely to be in 3rd and long. This will subsequently mean these pass rushers can pin their ears back and get after quarterbacks.
Necessary evil
It was shocking to many long-time followers of the NFL to see Pittsburgh’s defence be run over as easily as it was.
Over the years, the Steeler’s defence has been synonymous with greatness and particularly in stopping the run. It is almost against the organisation’s DNA to have this be a weakness.
General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin clearly thought similarly, hence moving quickly when Harmon was still available.
The pick was not flashy and is unlikely to get an ‘A’ in many draft grade reports afterwards. For Steeler’s nation, however, it was a necessary pick to compete in the rugged AFC North.
However, many fans are still wondering if this pick should have been used on the quarterback position. There is a certain Mr Rodgers still undecided about his future.
