After going 5-12, the New Orleans Saints have a ton of things to work on this offseason. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t have a lot of cap space, so they won’t be able to make significant changes in free agency. That means the 2025 NFL Draft will be big for New Orleans.
One position group that definitely needs to be addressed in the draft is defensive line. The Saints defense struggled to stop the run in 2024, and they need to find defenders that can change that. Derrick Harmon might be a defender who can help solve that problem.
Derrick Harmon is an intriguing draft prospect for the Saints
Accolades: 2nd team All-America, All BIG 10 2nd team
2024 stats: 591 snaps, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 55 pressures
Size: 6”5’, 310 LBs
Projection: Day 2
Derrick Harmon is a powerful presence from the interior, and his mix of agility makes him a three-down player. Harmon is immovable in the run game and a constant threat at rushing the quarterback. The former Oregon Duck is an enticing prospect for any team needing help on the defensive line.
When facing Oregon, teams were better off not running near Harmon. It’s nearly impossible to move him out of the way, even on double teams. He excels at using his leverage to stay low and anchor down in his spot. It's uncommon to see a runner escape once Harmon latches onto them.
He has an intrinsic ability to split gaps on run plays. He is instinctual and doesn’t hesitate once the ball is snapped. He immediately gets off the line and beats the lineman to his spot. Once he’s won, the running back has nowhere to go, likely getting taken down for a loss.
Harmon is an athletic freak for his size. A human with his frame shouldn’t be able to move as swiftly as he does. He is a rare mixture of agility and power that makes it nearly impossible to block him. He’s impossible to predict with his prowess in both aspects. It’s atypical to find a lineman who can keep up with him in every phase.
Harmon’s ability to provide pressure on the quarterback is unmatched among defensive tackles. In 2024, he has 12 more pressures than any other interior defender. On the year he has produced a pressure on 15.9% of his pass rush snaps. This is unprecedented in the FBS. Harmon’s ability to get to the quarterback is a major reason why many teams are intrigued by him.
Harmon is effective when used in stunts. He is selfless, opening up a lane to rush the quarterback for his teammate. Depending on the defensive coordinator, Harmon could be a primary piece in his pass-rush plan when implementing stunts.
The area that Harmon needs to improve is his stamina on long drives. On 10+ play drives his leverage can get too high, enabling lineman to move him. This should improve with more reps and training.
Derrick Harmon is a rare mix of power and agility that makes him a three-down player. His proficiency shooting gaps and prowess rushing the passer makes him an enticing prospect. The Saints should put serious thought into investing in their defensive line and choosing Harmon.