5 Steelers contracts we should feel great about heading into 2021
By Tommy Jaggi
OLB Alex Highsmith
It’s not often a team can get a high-quality edge defender for pennies on the dollar, but that appears to be exactly what they stumbled upon with rookie third-round draft pick, Alex Highsmith. The small-school product out of Charlotte has already exceeded all expectations. While an ACL tear to Bud Dupree was an unfortunate blow to the Steelers, Highsmith has proved his worth and has shown this team why he is more than capable of a full-time starting role in 2021 and beyond.
If that is the case, the Steelers will likely have the cheapest starting edge defender in the league for the next few years (which is good, because T.J. Watt will soon be one of the most expensive). Remarkably, Highsmith is making just over $1 million per season on his rookie deal that still has three years remaining. If he continues to improve at the level he has been, this will prove to be one of the biggest steals in all of football.
In comparison, there are 33 edge defenders currently making at least $10 million per season and 5 who are making upwards of $20 million per year. For pennies on the dollar, the Steelers may have just stumbled upon one of the best contracts in all of football.