The Pittsburgh Steelers have seemingly been more aggressive on the trading block under general manager Omar Khan. Overall, however, that does leave the team out of position to trade away most players on the current roster.
A recent article by Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport highlighting potential trade candidates for all 32 teams saw one name that could be viewed as somewhat expendable: edge defender Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith has been brought up in trade discussions before, especially with the gradual emergence of Nick Herbig in the pass-rushing rotation. While Highsmith is quite unlikely to be dealt, there is some value in entertaining the idea.
Alex Highsmith’s dip in production makes trade talks inevitable
After all, Highsmith’s production has lessened in the past two seasons, largely due to injuries, though schematic issues have certainly played a role. Unfortunately for Highsmith, there is little room for excuses for any pass rusher lined up opposite T.J. Watt to lack production.
Highsmith seemed to have had a breakout season in 2022 with 14.5 sacks, but he has only 13 in the two years since. Further, most of those 14.5 sacks in 2022 came while Watt was healthy, and he only played in 10 games that year.
Last season, Highsmith only recorded one half-sack more than Herbig. Both were dinged up throughout the season; Highsmith missed six games while Herbig missed four.
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In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State in the fourth round. He recorded 23 sacks across four seasons with the Buckeyes, nine of which came in his senior year. It seemed like a luxury pick considering the Steelers' strength at outside linebacker.
While Sawyer’s scouting reports often cite a limited ceiling, if he progresses at the rate Herbig has, Highsmith becomes even more expendable near the trade deadline or next offseason.
Steelers fans shouldn’t necessarily expect Highsmith to be dealt anytime soon, but if the Steelers stumble out of the gate, Highsmith's production continues to plateau, or he faces more injury trouble, the Steelers might ship him out for a few more future draft picks.