The Ravens will get their first look at Derrick Harmon tonight, and HC John Harbaugh already has respect for the Steelers’ rookie D-lineman. A day-one starter, he quickly came in and made a difference. The best way to measure his success has been how the unit has performed when he was out injured.
While HC Mike Tomlin has enjoyed comedically playing into that narrative, Harmon has genuinely made a difference. The discrepancy when he doesn’t play is partly due to the quality of the backups, but he is a stout defender. Just ask the Ravens.
“I know he’s a really good player, and he’s a first-round pick, and we studied him in the Draft, like we do all the guys”, Harbaugh said of Derrick Harmon via the Ravens’ website, about facing him for the first time, since the Steelers didn’t have him in the first game in Baltimore.