Plays one of the most important positions on the Steelers
Positions of importance are, for the most part, universal in the NFL. In today’s passing league, it’s incredibly difficult to compete without a quality quarterback, while left tackles and cornerbacks are among the highest-paid positions in the league for a reason. I think most general managers would join me in agreeing that edge defenders are among the top 3-4 most important positions in football. For the Steelers specifically, that ranking may even be higher.
Throughout their impressive history, Pittsburgh’s success on the football field has been tied to their edge rushers and the pressure they can generate on the quarterback. No team has been better at drafting and developing talent on the edge, and the Steelers have had some pretty impressive players over the past few decades manning the same role that Alex Highsmith is playing for the team right now.
Some of those players include Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and even a Defensive Player of the Year winner in guys like Joey Porter, Jason Gildon, and James Harrison. Most recently, Bud Dupree was a quality edge defender who recently earned a lucrative contract on the open market. T.J. Watt – who is playing opposite of Highsmith right now – may be the very best in the league at his position, and this duo could prove to be one of the best in the league at getting after quarterbacks in 2021.