The Steelers are continuing to assess options for their 2025 draft class by hosting Oregon defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton on top-30 visits, per Ray Fittpaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Both Harmon and Hampton are projected to go in the first round of April’s draft in which the Steelers hold the 21st overall pick. Either player could contribute in Pittsburgh right away with the team needing to add long-term contributors at both positions.
The Steelers released Larry Ogunjobi in March, leaving behind a defensive line that only has one player – 2024 sixth-rounder Logan Lee – signed past the 2026 season. Keeanu Benton could be re-signed as a long-term starter, but Cameron Heyward will be 37 when his contract expires. DeMarvin Leal, Dean Lowry, and Montravius Adams are all entering contract years, further heightening the need to add in the trenches.
Harmon, the 21st-ranked prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board, could fit the bill. He is a three-year starter who posted career-highs of 5.0 sacks and 11 tackles for loss during his senior year at Oregon after spending his first three college seasons at Michigan State. He has the football I.Q. and competitiveness that defensive line coaches will covet, though he does not profile as an elite athlete compared to the rest of the draft class.
The Steelers will also need to add to their backfield after letting Najee Harris walk in free agency. Pittsburgh retained restricted free agent Jaylen Warren and signed Kenneth Gainwell, but Hampton offers a higher-long term ceiling with his size, athleticism, and three-down ability. He is Jeremiah’s 13th-ranked prospect after two outstanding seasons for the Tar Heels and an excellent showing at the NFL Combine.
Hampton shouldn’t be going in the first round
Disagree. He’s exactly what you’d look for in a feature back in terms of size, athleticism, and production.
That you can get in the second round
Clearly not if he’s projected in the mid to late first.
But feel free to keep thinking you can draft anybody wherever due to position.
Hampton would be the perfect back for the Steelers.
Watching his highlights, you can tell there’s another gear he has yet to unlock because he hasn’t had to at the college level.
He’s not as fast as Judkins but is much bigger built, is much more of a power back, and he has such excellent balance as a runner that he can definitely be coached to make those cuts and clean up his technique as a route runner.
He was built to play in the smash mouth AFC North.