Derrick Harmon Speed Rushes His Way Up The Draft Board

I walked away feeling disappointed after evaluating the 2023 game film of defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at Michigan State (4-8).

He flashed first-round ability early in the season, but then he did a magic act and disappeared in the final six games when he seemed to lose motivation.

The result was a fourth-round grade on my board.

Next.

Harmon transferred to Oregon this past Spring on May 3, and it was time to circle back to his 2024 game film.

I ended up being pleasantly surprised.

Harmon put his best foot forward on a contending Ducks 13-1 team.

What was the result?

Difference in his stats

I don’t know what’s in the water out there in Oregon, but Harmon benefitted from going out west. He played in 12 games for the Spartans in 2023 and 14 games for the Ducks in 2024, and these were his pass-rushing results (Pro Football Focus):

2023

• 1 sack
• 1 hit
• 18 hurries
• 1 batted pass

2024

• 5 sacks
• 7 hits
• 43 hurries
• 2 batted passes

What were his run defense stats?

2023

• 40 tackles
• 16 solo
• 4 tackles for loss

2024

• 45 tackles
• 27 solo
• 11 tackles for loss

Should we be concerned?

My dream is to get back into the NFL, so if I’m willing to put this kind of grade on Harmon, it demonstrates he showed me enough on his 2024 film to put my mind at ease. I’m sold to the point I’m putting my name on him.

Does he have trouble staying motivated on a team with a losing record?

Yes.

The old me as an evaluator would have dropped him down on the board, but from what I’ve learned, the appropriate thing to do is find the right fit for him that matches the talent he’s showing on tape.

What does that mean?

Harmon needs to end up on a playoff-caliber roster.

What sold me on Harmon?

His closing speed into the pocket.

Harmon is one of the fastest-looking defensive tackles from point A to the quarterback that I’ve evaluated and in today’s pass-happy league, that does it for me.

As we saw in this past Super Bowl ⎯teams can get to the quarterback or they can’t.

His biggest weakness?

Stiffness.

Harmon has a high-cut frame and he’s heavier around the middle, which hinders him from making quick adjustments in space. He missed out on more sacks than tackles than anyone I can remember. When I say he’s a “straight-line” player, I mean it.

He’s also not an authoritative bull-rusher.

NFL projection

Pushing the pocket into a quarterback’s face is huge. There were many reps Harmon’s pressure affected the location of downfield passes.

But I feel it has to be a contending team based on what he’s shown me on film these past two seasons.

Best landing spots?

The playoff teams with defensive tackle as a high priority (NFL.com):

• Chargers (No. 22)
• Vikings (No. 24)
• Texans (No. 25)
• Bills (No. 30)
• Chiefs (No. 31)

#55 Derrick Harmon 6-foot-5, 310 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Final NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 41.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 11, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Derrick Harmon Disappointed at Michigan State in 2023 (11 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: Idaho, Boise State, Oregon State, UCLA, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Washington, Penn State, and Ohio State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A versatile and strong finesse prospect. I counted 59 double teams on passing downs and 21 on running plays. Long arms with good reach. Good effort. Strong and active hands at the point of attack. Best pass rush moves: swim and rip. Pass rush moves flashed: spin and slap and go. Can pull an offensive lineman’s hands down quickly and effectively. Stalls out too often for having those tools. Hard hitter. Below average achieving leverage against blocks playing run defense. Tries hard. Gets neutralized 75% of the time in the run game. Makes some splash tackles for losses.

Final words

Harmon plays like a defensive end trapped in a defensive tackle’s body.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.