Alex Highsmith

Highsmith recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks during the 2022 campaign but took a step back last year. He tallied 57 tackles (34 solo), including seven sacks, along with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a touchdown and three pass defenses. Highsmith had multiple interceptions for the first time in his career, and his touchdown was also the first of his career. Highsmith has missed just one game over his first four NFL seasons, and he's been a reliable defender for Pittsburgh over the past three seasons, even with his decline in sacks last year.

The first Steelers' pass rusher to come to mind is undoubtedly T.J. Watt, but Highsmith made the case that he shouldn't be forgotten in that conversation with his performance in 2022. He took the field for a career-high 904 defensive snaps and translated that into an impressive 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. A deeper dive suggests Highsmith may not be ready to lead the pass rush just yet, as he had only 3.5 sacks across the seven games Watt was sidelined. However, when attention is elsewhere, Highsmith has shown the ability to take advantage with massive production.

Highsmith served as a reserve linebacker during his rookie season in 2020, but he took on a starting role last year after Bud Dupree left for the Titans. Highsmith responded with increased production, as he totaled 74 tackles (46 solo), six sacks and a fumble recovery, all career highs. While the Steelers added Myles Jack during the offseason, Highsmith is in line to start once again in 2022 af-ter the team parted ways with Joe Schobert.

Highsmith was on the field for only 42 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps as a rookie in 2020, but he's poised to start at outside linebacker after Bud Dupree signed with the Titans during the offseason. The 23-year-old took on a starting role for the final five weeks of the regular season last year and recorded 28 tackles (16 solo) and a sack during that time. Across his 16 appearances, he totaled 48 tackles (30 solo), two sacks and an interception.