The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has been a consistent force over the last half decade, and their defensive front is the engine that makes the unit go. The edge rushers in particular have been dominant, with T.J. Watt leading a group that has given quarterbacks nightmares.
His partners in crime have changed over the years, but the players around him now are better than they have ever been. Alex Highsmith has developed into one of the best edge rushers in the NFL, and he is a popular choice as the best No. 2 edge rusher in the league.
Nick Herbig has excelled as the third edge for the Steelers during his first two seasons, allowing the stars get more rest than they would be able to get otherwise.
The trio is so good that Pro Football Focus put all of them in their Top 32 edge rusher rankings.
Pittsburgh Steelers' edge trio all make PFF's top edge rusher list
The Steelers graded out as the best pass rushing defense in the NFL last season, according to PFF, so it's not surprising to see all three of their primary edge rushers make this list. The Dolphins were the only other team to have edge rushers ranked inside the top 32.
Watt comes in at No. 3, his highest ranking by them since 2022. The former DPOY wasn't quite as productive overall in 2024 compared to his peak seasons, but he remains one of the NFL's most disruptive players.
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Alex Highsmith was ranked 13th in the league, up six spots from his ranking in 2024. He has been one of the most consistently impactful pass rushers in the NFL over the last three seasons, and he was well on his way to a career year before injuries limited him to just 11 games in 2024.
Last but not least, Nick Herbig took the final spot in their rankings at No. 32. The former Wisconsin Badger has been arguably the Steelers best pass rusher on a per-snap basis since being drafted in 2023, and he could have an even bigger role next year if the team wants to help keep an aging Watt fresh throughout the season.
With an offense that still leaves plenty to be desired, Steelers fans better hope these three can make good on their rankings and help the defense carry the team in 2025.