5 Steelers that will surprise us in the upcoming 2022 season

Alex Highsmith could break out in 2022

Alex Highsmith has been a rising player on this defense that has many great names on it. He is entering his third season in the NFL, his second as a starter. He has been a nice option on the opposite starting spot of T.J. Watt.

He is reliable in stopping the run and getting after the quarterback. He has been coming along and had a nice season this past year. His stats rushing the passer have not shown up on the stat sheet as many would hope, but this third time around could really change everything.

Having Watt out there takes away many sacks of other players as he gets to the passer so quickly. He is a dominant player and that might hinder Highsmith some, but that is not a bad thing. This third-year man out of Charlette has shown some great abilities and growth since coming in as a rookie and it takes time to show great results in the stat column.

This is going to be a big year for Highsmith and his camp. They will be playing for a potential contract extension, despite the team having him under contract for another season after 2022. If he regresses, then a replacement could be brought in the following offseason. All signs are pointing to this player really coming along and having a big year.