Every year, ESPN puts together a list of the top-10 edge rushers, as voted on by NFL coaches, scouts and executives. T.J. Watt came in seventh this year, the lone Pittsburgh Steeler to be named. But Watt isn’t the only edge rusher on the Steelers’ roster looking to crack that list. In Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh has two other outside linebackers who are capable of taking over a game.
Regarding Highsmith, former NFL GM Doug Whaley thinks there’s one thing he needs to take care of in order to become a top-10 edge rusher.
“Highsmith can do a lot for his status in the league, if he can stay healthy for 17 games. And the way he ended the (2025 season), if he continues that for 17 games, I think he’ll be knocking on that top-10 door,” Whaley said Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan.
Staying healthy is certainly a big priority for Highsmith. He played in 16 games in 2021, and all 17 in both 2022 and 2023. But over the previous two years, he’s missed a combined 10 games, four of them in 2025.
When healthy, the production is there. Even while missing time, Alex Highsmith finished the year as the Steelers’ best edge rusher from a statistical standpoint. If it wasn’t for a strong finish from Joey Porter Jr., Highsmith could have been the best overall Steelers defender last season. He finished the year with 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, each of which led the team. That despite both Watt and Nick Herbig playing more games than Highsmith.
With Herbig’s recent massive contract extension, there was some instant speculation about Highsmith’s future in Pittsburgh. T.J. Watt obviously has his own long extension, and some initially thought the Steelers wouldn’t be able to keep all three. That speculation has since died down a bit. With all of them still in the building, there is a good chance the Steelers get them on the field together more this season. It was something they flirted with last year, and new DC Patrick Graham figures to be much more creative than Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin were.
Regardless, the talent has always been there with Alex Highsmith. When he’s healthy, he’s been vital for the Steelers’ defense, against both the run and the pass. Whaley thinks he’ll need to stay healthy if he’s going to crack the top 10 at his position.
