The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a third round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on OLB Alex Highsmith. Highsmith, spent time as the Steelers third option at the OLB position, behind 2021 DPOY and superstar OLB TJ Watt and Bud Dupree. In his rookie season in 2020, Highsmith finished with 48 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed, 5 tackles for a loss, and 6 QB hits in only five games started after Dupree fell with a season-ending knee injury. The Steelers saw enough to see this through with Highsmith and allow him to grow and develop while getting more in-game reps and experience. The team essentially chose Highsmith over Dupree after the team allowed Dupree to enter free agency without re-signing him to a contract. Dupree went on to sign with the Tennessee Titans.
Did Steelers' Highsmith show growth in his first full year starting?
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 19: T.J. Watt #90 and Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate a sack against the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter of the game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
To answer shortly, but accurately, yes. Highsmith showed growth last season in his first year starting! In his second year in 2021, Highsmith started in 16 games for the team, totaling 74 combined tackles, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 15 tackles for a loss, and 15 QB hits. The man tripled his sack and tackles for loss production and that can't be ignored!
You might be asking yourself, "Did the Steelers make the right call in choosing Highsmith over Dupree last off-season?" Just based on how the two stacked up statistically last season, that answer is yes too. Dupree finished 2021 only playing in 11 games due to injuries, starting 6 of those, totaling 17 combined tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed, 2 tackles for loss, and 8 QB hits. Highsmith made the jump from his rookie season to his second year the way they were banking on him to do so. Highsmith is ready to breakout even further in 2022 alongside Watt!
Check out Merril Hoge's film breakdown of Highsmith on the Steelers' official YouTube channel here!
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (#56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, November, 21, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Will Navarro/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Highsmith spoke to Tim Benz of Trib Live about his goals for the 2022 season:
“I definitely feel I can be more productive sacks-wise. This year hitting double digits is a main goal of mine. At least 10 or 12. Somewhere around there,” Highsmith said after a recent practice. “Refining a lot of my game. Whether that’s pass-rushing or getting more physical in the run game. No matter how much of a jump I make, I feel like I can always get better.”
A goal that is not far-fetched for the third-year man out of Charlotte, seeing that he tripled his sack production from year one to year two. Highsmith knows how he can grow and get better and has been in the film room with Watt, working on reaching that goal this off-season.
“I looked at my film from last year and there are a bunch of plays where I beat a guy, but I really didn’t finish the rush. That’s what I’ve been working on with T.J.,” Highsmith said. “Just working on those things at the top of the rush. That’s where it matters most. I can beat the guy, but the quarterback can step up and I run around him. It’s about bending the corner more and getting the guy’s hands off me so I can finish that rush.”
If Highsmith can continue to show stellar growth and get into that 10-12 sacks range, look out NFL! Quarterbacks beware...
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (#56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December, 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
What do yinz think about Alex Highsmith becoming more of an impact player in his third year with the Steelers? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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