As we\u2019ve done in the past, we\u2019re putting together an offseason review of young Pittsburgh Steelers players and where they can improve the most ahead of the 2026 season. We\u2019ll start with second-year DL Derrick Harmon.<\/p>\n
Harmon had a solid rookie year. Even missing five games with multiple knee injuries, his run defense was steady and excellent. There was a notable improvement against the run when Harmon was on the field, as we noted in our recent charting.<\/a><\/p>\n As a pass rusher, Harmon has far more room to grow. Three sacks across 12 games doesn\u2019t look bad, but the tape and data aren\u2019t nearly as strong.<\/p>\n On tape, Harmon too often attacks down the middle of the rusher instead of half-man. He also lacks a go-to rush move. His bull rush must get stronger when attacking down the middle, and he needs to improve his swipes and bend off the edge to turn the corner.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a couple clips of the issue.<\/p>\n Some rushes and schemes dictate where a rusher can and can\u2019t go based on what the rest of the rush is doing. Still, Harmon can do more here to win.<\/p>\n That\u2019s backed up by the data. Per our charting, here is Harmon\u2019s pressure figure and pressure rate.<\/p>\n Derrick Harmon Pressure Splits<\/p>\n Weeks 1-9: 12 pressures, 12.8 snaps per pressure Even knowing Harmon missed time late in the year, the pressure rate nearly tripled.<\/p>\n
Weeks 10+: 3 pressures, 36.3 snaps per pressure<\/p>\n