Derrick Harmon 2025 NFL Draft: Oregon DT Scouting Report
Coming out of Oregon, we have a versatile defensive tackle, Derrick Harmon. In a talented 2025 NFL Draft class, he is one of the more versatile prospects who can line up in multiple techniques on the defensive line. Today, we’ll be breaking down his future NFL outlook in this scouting report. We will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Derrick Harmon 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Harmon emerged as a standout interior defensive lineman in his lone season at Oregon after transferring from Michigan State, where he spent three years developing into a rotational contributor. A former three-star recruit from Loyola High School in Detroit, Harmon’s journey reflects a blend of perseverance and untapped potential. His 2024 campaign with the Ducks showcased a significant leap in production and impact, elevating him into the conversation as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
HT: 6044
WT: 313
HAND: 1038
ARM: 3438
40: 4.95
Strengths
- Physical Tools: At his size, Harmon possesses an imposing frame with long arms and a thick lower half, giving him a natural advantage at the point of attack. His size and length make him a challenging matchup for interior offensive linemen.
- Explosive First Step: Harmon’s get-off is exceptional for a player of his size. He consistently fires off the snap quickly, allowing him to disrupt plays before blockers can fully engage.
- Run Defense Anchor: He excels at holding ground against double teams, using a wide base and strong upper body to clog lanes. His ability to stack and shed blocks keeps him in a position to make plays on the ball carrier.
- Pass-Rush Upside: Harmon’s 2024 season revealed a refined pass-rush skill set. His go-to rip move, a developing swim, and occasional bull rush helped him lead interior linemen in pressures. His long arms allow him to keep blockers at bay while working toward the quarterback.
- Versatility: Oregon deployed Harmon across the defensive front, from 1-technique to 5-technique alignments, showcasing his ability to adapt to various schemes. This flexibility enhances his appeal to NFL teams running both odd and even fronts.
Areas for Improvement
- Finishing: While Harmon generates disruption, he struggles to finish plays consistently. His tackle totals and sack numbers don’t reflect his pressure rate fully, suggesting a need to improve his closing ability in space or against mobile quarterbacks.
- Leverage Consistency: His high-cut frame can work against him when he doesn’t maintain a low pad level. He stands upright off the snap at times, allowing blockers to get under him and neutralize his power.
- Pass-Rush Arsenal: Though effective with his rip move, Harmon’s counter moves are still a work in progress. Expanding his toolkit will be critical against savvier NFL linemen who can stall his initial burst.
- Lateral Agility: His hip stiffness limits his range when pursuing outside the tackle box. He’s most effective at playing forward and can be exposed on cutbacks or when chasing perimeter plays.
- Snap-to-Snap Discipline: Harmon occasionally overpursues, sacrificing gap integrity for a shot at the backfield. While a strength, this aggression needs refinement to ensure he remains sound in his assignments.
Conclusion
Harmon is a high-upside prospect whose breakout 2024 season at Oregon solidified his status as a Day 1 or early Day 2 talent. His rare combination of size, quickness, and positional flexibility makes him a scheme-versatile asset, but his success at the next level hinges on improving his leverage, finishing ability, and pass-rush nuance. With coaching, he has the tools to become a three-down starter and a disruptive force in the NFL trenches.
Harmon projects as a versatile 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme, where his quickness and power can be maximized as a penetrator. He could also slide into a 2i-technique role in an even front or serve as a 5-technique in an odd-front system with proper coaching on leverage. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, or Minnesota Vikings—known for valuing interior disruption—could view him as an immediate rotational piece with starter upside by Year 2. Harmon’s blend of size, explosiveness, and developmental trajectory draws parallels to DaQuan Jones (Buffalo Bills), though with a higher ceiling as a pass rusher if he refines his technique.
Round Grade: Mid 1st – Early 2nd Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sk | PD | FR |
| 2021* | Michigan State | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Michigan State | 12 | 8 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Michigan State | 12 | 16 | 24 | 4 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Oregon | 14 | 27 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Career | 42 | 51 | 65 | 18 | 8.5 | 6 | 3 |
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