The Pittsburgh Steelers had a clear vision of getting stronger on the defensive line entering the 2025 NFL Draft, which led to the team selecting Oregon standout defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round. And while we’ve seen that it is very difficult for Steelers rookies to get immediate starting reps and begin the season No. 1 on the depth chart, that won’t be the case for Harmon. Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar says that Harmon will be the team’s starting left end.

“You can write that,” Dunbar said via Nick Farabaugh. “He’s our starting left defensive end.”

Steelers DL coach Karl Dunbar confirmed that Derrick Harmon is the team’s left starting defensive end.

“You can write that. He’s our starting left defensive end.”

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) June 10, 2025

Harmon will play alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton to make up the starting defensive line. This is the second straight year the Steelers have had their first-round pick enter the season as the starter. Right tackle Troy Fautanu entered the 2024 season slated as the team’s starter before suffering a season-ending injury early in the season.