The New York Giants are sitting pretty heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. With the No. 3 overall pick, a stable quarterback room, and a defensive front anchored by Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, Joe Schoen has the rare luxury of drafting from a position of strength.
And if he wants to lean even harder into the defensive identity he’s quietly been building, there’s a late-first or early Day 2 option who might look eerily familiar to Giants fans. Enter Derrick Harmon.
The Oregon defensive tackle was recently featured in Matt Miller’s top 600 prospects, earning a player comp to former Giants standout Leonard Williams. That’s high praise. Williams was a versatile, disruptive interior force who could rush the passer and clog running lanes. Harmon might not be a household name just yet, but his upside is starting to turn heads. And if he slides into that early Day 2 range? The G-Men might not be able to pass him up.
Derrick Harmon brings serious Leonard Williams vibes
In his final rankings of the top 600 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, Miller ranked Harmon as the No. 26 overall player and had this to say:
“Harmon’s tape prior to transferring to Oregon in 2024 wasn’t top-30 caliber. He excelled with the Ducks, though, racking up five sacks and 35 pressures while showing the power to be an impactful run defender. Harmon’s stock value varies depending on which scouts you talk to, but his nonstop motor on tape will excite defensive line coaches throughout the league.”
The G-Men, who have long leaned on the interior disruption of Dexter Lawrence, could pair him with Harmon and create an interior duo that wreaks havoc. Harmon has the size (6-foot-5, 310 pounds), length, and anchor to hold up against double teams, but he also flashes real upside as a pass-rusher. He wins with power and has a nasty rip move when attacking the B-gap.
Sound familiar? That’s a Leonard Williams special.
The key difference between the two is Williams is a more natural defensive end who can play inside, while Harmon is seen more as an interior defensive lineman who can also play on the edge. Harmon doesn’t come without flaws—his hands get a little wild at times, and he’s not the bendiest athlete in the world—but the traits are there. He thrives as a 2i or 3-tech in even fronts, which is right in Shane Bowen’s wheelhouse.
More importantly, he wouldn’t need to come in and save the defense. With Lawrence, Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux already on the roster, Harmon could rotate early, develop his pass-rush plan, and still contribute in rushing downs from day one.
If Big Blue stays put at No. 34, Harmon might be gone. But if they see him slipping into the late 20s, don’t rule out a small trade up to snag him. He’s the kind of player who fits their system, fills a future need, and helps them keep building the foundation of one of the most dangerous front sevens in the NFL... potentially.
Williams was a foundational piece during his run in blue. Harmon could be the next one.