By Cody Hatfield
Alex Highsmith, drafted at the 102nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft in the 3rd round, signed a 4 year $68 million contract extension, keeping him in Pittsburgh until 2027, this offseason. Making him amount the top 10 highest paid edge rushers in the NFL. And he's already showing flashes of continuing that success that made the Steelers want to pay him!
During the Steelers Preseason game in week 2 against the Buffalo Bills Alex showed the three reasons he'll be a top 10 edge rusher at the end of this season. In the video above you can see TJ Watt being basically triple teamed by the right side of the O-line. But that just means you leave Alex with a 1on1 opportunity to get to the QB and he does just that. Disrupts the play, makes Allen move out of the pocket and make a play with his legs. But we all know he can pass rush.
We know he can run protect too. Shedding a block and making a tackle is expected of every defensive player. But the hustle, the relentless effort that he brings every play, is what makes the highlight above a highlight. He didn't give up on the play and hustled himself into a tackle, and ToTs are important in contract negotiations, which is why he got paid! Because he never gives up on the play.
BUT this play above is what makes him special. The play above is the reason he was paid top 10 positional money. Covering Stefon Diggs perfectly on a 5 yard dig is so impressive. Diggs a 2x All-Pro and 3x Pro Bowler and arguably a top 5 WR in the NFL had no space to attempt a catch. This play is not being talked about enough.
Pass Rushing, Run Stopping and Pass Coverage are all great quilities to have, but when you put them all three together, you get the opportunity to be really special in the NFL and Alex Highsmith has all three. And with Pittsburgh Steelers having possibility the best edge rushing group in the NFL, with Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig and of course TJ Watt. Then you got future HOFer Patrick Peterson and Multiple time All-Pro Saftey in the secondary and you have a defense prime to be the best.