Will Steelers new OLB Alex Highsmith be Bud Dupree’s replacement?

The Steelers have had some success with small-school players in the third round in recent years. Could Alex Highsmith be Bud Dupree’s replacement?

Bud Dupree was drafted in the first round pick in 2015 out of Kentucky. He was drafted to be the dominant edge force we saw in college. However, it took until his 5th-year option to see him finally put it all together. Now, with the third-round selection of Alex Highsmith, the Steelers could have an affordable replacement.

Who is Alex Highsmith?

Alex Highsmith was drafted in the third round out of UNC-Charlotte. Highsmith burst on to the scene this season with 21.5 tackles for a loss and 15.0 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference. However, it was not always easy for the small-school prospect. He entered the 49ers program as a long shot walk-on and he worked his way to scholarship just before his third year.

Highsmith did not record as many sacks that season but made 18.5 tackles for a loss. As a senior, Highsmith recorded 14 sacks in 13 starts making him impossible to ignore. He offers a relentless motor, speed, and bend off the edge. If he was in a larger program, we could’ve been looking at a first-round draft pick.

Alex Highsmith’s rookie role

The Steelers starting linebackers are set in stone for the 2020 season. None more solidified than Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt. Making it clear, the rookie will not be starting. Therefore, we are going to see Highsmith in a rotational role. This is a type of role that he should produce more than his predecessor, Anthony Chickillo.

Unlike Chickillo, Highsmith played outside linebacker all throughout college. He will be entering the league with a much more developed skillset at the outside linebacker position. This will be a rookie the Steelers can throw in on late downs as offensive tackles tire out and expect him to make plays in the backfield.

Will the Steelers move on from Bud Dupree?

My vote is that this will be the last season we see Dupree as a Steeler. The Steelers have a few reasons they could move on from the franchise-tagged linebacker. For starters, it took Bud Dupree till the end of his rookie deal to find his stride. Now, it is important that he has finally started to tap into his potential.

However, Bud was in a contract year and we have all seen the effect that has on a player. Who is to say when Bud signs that comfy long-term deal that he won’t regress? It is hard to say what clicked for him but it seemed like a little extra motivation made the difference.

Not far behind, is the money that will come along with this deal. Bud is set to make 15 million dollars this season on his franchise tag. No player in their right mind will settle for a bargain deal after a year on the tag. The monetary increase in tagging players for a second year is a 20% increase on the previous franchise tag year. That simply is not going to happen. Bud is likely going to demand a price that Steelers can’t pay with All-Pro T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward on deck for a payday.

Alex Highsmith is a pick Steelers fans should be excited about. His college tape is exceptional and his game should translate well. He will need to bulk up as a rookie to handle the run but pairing him with Ola Adeniyi is sack city.