In our BTSC Top Ten series, Alex Highsmith secured the third place vote with more than 50% of the total. Only 19% of the votes were cast for the next highest vote-getter. A convincing victory for the third-year edge rusher for the Steelers.
Following T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree as the starting outside linebacker in his first season, Alex Highsmith was selected by the Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft. After Bud Dupree’s injury in Week 11, Highsmith took over as the starting outside linebacker. In 2021, Highsmith replaced T.J. Watt as the full-time starter when Dupree left the Steelers for Tennessee. Highsmith became one of the NFL’s better edge players in run defence despite being given additional run defence responsibilities and spending a lot of time in coverage. He only registered 6 sacks during this time. Highsmith began the 2022 season with three sacks in Week 1, which was half of his total from the previous year. Despite T.J. Watt’s decreased output due to injury, Highsmith still recorded 14.5 sacks and 20
Highsmith also was an incredibly reliable player for the Steelers, starting all 17 games and leading all Steeler defenders in snaps played, beating Minkah Fitzpatrick by 2 snaps. He even posted a complete game, playing all 52 snaps in Week 16 against the Ravens. That’s a very uncommon thing for a Steelers outside linebacker to do.
Highsmith heads toward the 2023 season at age 26 and in the last year of his rookie contract. Highsmith wasn’t a first round pick so there is no fifth-year option to worry about. If the Steelers don’t extend his contract this offseason, he will be playing for a big deal this seasons.
Highsmith heads toward the 2023 season at age 26 and in the last year of his rookie contract. Highsmith wasn’t a first round pick so there is no fifth-year option to worry about. If the Steelers don’t extend his contract this offseason, he will be playing for a big deal this season.
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