Derrick Harmon has had a rollercoaster of a rookie season. He’s in and out of the lineup with various nagging injuries. When he has been on the field, his numbers haven’t been eye-popping. Some would use Harmon’s injury-riddled start to his career and his lack of glitzy statistical production as a reason to label him as a potential bust.
However, digging deeper than the raw numbers shows Harmon in a far more favorable light.
Derrick Harmon Proving to be Steelers’ Secret Ingredient on Defense
Harmon’s Individual Performance
When watching Harmon play football, it’s clear he belongs on the field. While his individual numbers look mediocre, his impact becomes evident when watching him play and comparing Pittsburgh’s defense with him on versus off the field. Harmon could be the missing piece to the Steelers’ defensive puzzle. Most crucially, he will be the difference between Pittsburgh going on a late-season run to a division title or missing out on the playoffs.
As an individual player, Harmon appears average when looking at his stats without context. In his rookie season, he has two sacks, one fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss in nine games played. Even for a defensive tackle, those numbers aren’t special. However, Harmon does a lot of little things well for the position that don’t get noticed. Harmon is playing nose tackle for Pittsburgh, a position that’s not exactly known for statistical dominance. Part of why he’s playing that position is because he’s great at it. He’s strong enough to hold his ground when being double-teamed at the point of attack on runs.
The other reason he’s played that position so much is that he’s the only player on the Steelers who can sufficiently fill that role. Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black have shown flashes of being great defensive linemen in the league, but neither of them has been capable of playing nose tackle, especially against the run. Benton, in particular, has really struggled when asked to play nose tackle in run-heavy situations, often being moved 2-3 yards back by double teams. Harmon doesn’t get moved. He’s strong, quick off the ball, and takes great pursuit angles. All of this showed when the Steelers played the Vikings in Dublin.
Harmon’s Impact on the Steelers
While Harmon has proven to be a good football player individually, it’s his impact on Pittsburgh’s team defense that is most valuable this season. When Harmon plays, the Steelers’ run defense gives up just 96 rushing yards per game, which would rank sixth in the NFL. Without Harmon, their run defense falls off to an unfathomably high 191.1 rushing yards allowed per game. Harmon is not just filling a role on defense. He is the difference between the Steelers fielding an elite run defense and the very worst run defense in football.
It’s not just the rushing defense that improves with Harmon on the field. In nine games with him, the Steelers give up 22.2 points and 357.8 yards per game. In four games without Harmon, the Steelers have given up 27.8 points and 395.3 yards per game. There’s no way to deny it; the Steelers are better on defense with Harmon on the field. He demands attention in the middle. Harmon frees up linebackers like Patrick Queen in the run game. He helps Pittsburgh force situations where they can rush the passer, along with guys like Nick Herbig.
Harmon is not an elite football player yet. He is about as impactful as a rookie defensive lineman can get. It’s unknown whether or not Harmon will play on Monday night against the Dolphins. One thing is for certain: the Steelers will feel his impact whether he’s on the field or not.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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