Alex Highsmith more likely Steelers trade candidate than Nick Herbig

Pittsburgh is approaching the draft with the kind of problem that many front offices wouldn't hesitate to trade a pick for.

They have three starting-quality edge rushers, T.J. Watt locked in on a $41 million-a-year extension, Alex Highsmith paid like a cornerstone, and Nick Herbig running hot behind the curtain.

Both Highsmith and Herbig are reportedly drawing calls from rival front offices, but per Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, only one of them is really close to the door.

The contract math and Jack Sawyer's rookie tape point the same way

Highsmith, who turns 29 in August, still has two years remaining on the four-year, $68 million extension he signed back in 2023.

He is owed $14.5 million in 2026 and $15.5 million in 2027, with cap hits above $20 million in both seasons.

He led the Steelers with 9.5 sacks last season, but he has not reached double digits for about three straight years.

Also, Herbig, who is 24, is cheaper and arguably more productive at this moment. In a rotational role this past season, he earned an 87.1 PFF pass-rush grade and produced 47 total pressures with eight sacks.

“Highsmith’s name, along with fellow edge Nick Herbig are definitely floating around front offices as the draft approaches. It seems that any trade would be a one-but-not-both scenario, with Highsmith the likelier candidate to get moved...With Herbig waiting in the wings and having been very productive while rotating with Highsmith and T.J. Watt, the Steelers are expected to take some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings."

As one high-level personnel executive said, 'I think they will trade one of them. [between Highsmith and Herbig].' While Herbig's name has come up in conversations with teams about potential trade targets, it feels like the more acquirable player at this point would be Highsmith." Robinson wrote.

Pittsburgh drafted Jack Sawyer in 2025, and he forced a strip-sack on Houston in the Wild Card loss. That gives Omar Khan real cover to move on.

None of this guarantees a trade. Phones go silent all the time at this stage.

But looking at the shape of the room, the money, Sawyer's emergence, and a cheaper, younger Herbig in line for real minutes makes it easy to see why rival teams believe Highsmith is the one moving if the right offer lands.

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