KARL ROSER / STEELERS

Derrick Harmon participates in practice during OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Regardless of where on the board they're drafted or what situation they might end up in, there's always a learning curve for rookies entering the National Football League. 

Derrick Harmon is no exception. 

The Steelers' first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft has been donning the No. 99 in black and gold for over two weeks now, participating in the team's rookie minicamp earlier this month before turning his attention to voluntary offseason workouts and the start of OTAs this week. 

Harmon said during rookie minicamp that his sole focus heading into OTAs was to help the team, be a good rookie and find veterans to learn from. Over these last three days, that's exactly what he's done, leaning on more experienced guys like Cam Heyward, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Keeanu Benton to help make his transition from Oregon to the NFL more seamless.

"It's good to be around some vets, around older guys and just competing at a high level," Harmon said following the third day of OTAs this morning at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "Just trying to learn from all of those guys and ask them any questions I can. I don't know what I don't know, so I'm trying to learn this game and be dominant at this game." 

Jack Sawyer is in the same situation. 

A linebacker out of Ohio State who had to wait until the fourth round to hear his name called, Sawyer has found value in being able to ask questions, while interacting with the likes of Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jeremiah Moon. The latter two in particular aren't seasoned by any means, having played a combined four seasons in the NFL. Still, they've played a role in helping Sawyer adjust to life in the Steelers' linebacker room. 

"Thankfully for me, my group, and really the whole locker room, is great. All the older guys have been super helpful. Alex, Herbig, Moon and all those guys have been great for me already," Sawyer said. "It's been a good experience so far and they've helped me with anything I've had questions with, making sure I'm picking the plays up good and understanding what I'm doing, because that's the biggest thing right now."

This is exactly the type of situation Sawyer wanted to come into out of college. He said he wanted to be able to join a group like this and have the opportunity to learn how to attack every day as a professional. 

"Being able to do that the last couple of weeks already has been really good for me," he said. "It's been exciting and I'm really excited for the future going forward." 

Rookies like Harmon, Sawyer and Kaleb Johnson shouldn't be too overwhelmed by the transition to the NFL considering the schools at which they played. Harmon said early this month that, coming from Oregon, he had everything thrown at him. His experiences there helped prepare him for what he's experiencing now. 

The same could be said for Sawyer and Johnson, a former All-American who ran for over 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns to conclude his three-year career at Iowa this past season.

"I feel like I fit in great. I feel like I'm coming in and having an advantage a little bit because it's some of the same stuff I did back then in college," Johnson said. "Just learning from the older guys, learning my techniques, the plays and the little stuff like pass protection." 

Jaylen Warren has played a significant role in helping Johnson, particularly during pass blocking drills. Johnson said Warren has taught him the little things in regard to that particular area of his game, as well as the "ins and outs" of being a running back with the Steelers. 

"We had drills today and it was straight pass protection. I really like that, because that's something I really need to work on and something I really want to be reliable on when it comes down to it," Johnson said. "I'm just out there working on my technique, my hips and everything like that. It's been good."