Steelers A to Z: Devin Harper trying to earn roster spot as backup linebacker, special teamer

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

LB DEVIN HARPER

Experience/age: Third season, 27 years old

Contract status: $1.03 million cap hit if he makes the team, will be a restricted free agent in 2026

The past: Harper joined the Steelers in late August after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent all last season on the Steelers practice squad. A sixth-round pick of Dallas in 2022, he appeared in three games with the Cowboys that season before injuring his Achilles tendon, and he split the 2023 season between Dallas and Cincinnati. Overall, he has nine games of NFL experience, and he has contributed two tackles.

The 6-foot, 238-pound inside linebacker spent his college career at Oklahoma State. Granted a super senior season in 2021 because of the pandemic, Harper was named a team captain and started 13 games. He finished that season with 96 tackles, including 10 for loss. He added six sacks and 15 quarterback hurries that were second-most in a season in school history.

My favorite play from #Cowboys 193rd pick Devin Harper.

Misses the sack, stands back up and chases the QB down for a 4th down stop to end the game. pic.twitter.com/3MzYdeyYHc

— DemBoyzNews (@DemBoyzNews) April 30, 2022

2025 outlook: The Steelers thought enough of Harper to keep him on the practice squad last year, and then sign him to a reserve/futures contract in January. His path to earning a roster spot was hurt when the Steelers used a seventh-round pick on Washington inside linebacker Carson Bruener.

Harper will enter training camp behind starters Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, returning veteran Cole Holcomb, newcomer Malik Harrison and likely Bruener. He could make a mark on special teams, where he had experience during his stint with the Bengals.