If Steelers Draft The Promising OLB Will Anderson In 2023, Is The Writing On The Wall For Alex Highsmith?

The season is still young, but the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to find themselves in uncharted territory as they navigate life without Ben Roethlisberger and now TJ Watt. Despite efforts from young guys like Alex Highsmith and Kenny Pickett, the team sits at 2-6, with some ones that got away and others that they never had. It’s been a tough year, and a lot of questions are emerging as a result.

Jordan Schofield-SteelerNation.com

If the season were to end today, the Steelers would hold the number 4 pick overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and naturally this has people talking. There is a lot of speculation as to what the team may do with that pick if it were to stay as is. Offensive line, defensive line, secondary help, even potentially another quarterback.

PFF has released its first mock draft for the upcoming off-season, and here’s what it looks like:

The website currently has the Steelers taking edge rusher, Will Anderson from the University of Alabama. This would be an amazing pickup. He is one of if not the most talented prospect in this upcoming draft. He would immediately increase the already strong potency of the Steelers defensive line and linebacker group.

The season is still very young and the Steelers are likely going to try and scrap and claw their way back to respectability and a better record as they are known to do. As mentioned before though, this is the first year without Roethlisberger and definitely a building year, so this bodes the question; is it better off they don’t win too many more games and gun for a top pick?

The answer is not simple. The Steelers are known for being a tough, blue collar team that gives themselves a chance year in and year out. On the flip side, every team does have a down year, and are compensated through getting premiere draft value. The Steelers have not picked inside the top 10 since 2000 (except for 2019 when they traded to move to the top 10). If they had not done so, they would have drafted 20th overall.

A player like Anderson, who currently has 7 sacks, and 17.5 the year prior, paired with reigning Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt and rising star, Alex Highsmith, would certainly be a nightmare for offenses around the league. Unfortunately, it may not be sustainable for long.

Would Drafting Anderson Be Highsmith’s Nail In The Coffin With Steelers?

The three would likely only be able to play together the 2023 season. Highsmith’s contract is up after next year, and if the Steelers were to draft Anderson, it would be much cheaper to let Highsmith go. Highsmith is currently on track to make himself a lot of money when he hits the free agent market. With Anderson and Watt there to hold it down, the team would likely be inclined to let Highsmith walk.

The team could probably hit Highsmith with a franchise tag if the three were too good to let go, but that would likely be the longest they could retain the three of them together. This may be disappointing to some, but even if the Steelers don’t draft Anderson, keeping Highsmith will be a challenge due to the market for edge rushers in the league. They already pay one of, if not the premiere edge rusher in football.

Again, it is early and there’s no telling where the Steelers will land as far as draft position by the time the season is over. The team's schedule eases up considerably and on top of likely getting Watt back from injury, they have traded for newly acquired defensive back, William Jackson III.

The offense is also trying to get on the same page and reportedly had multiple meetings this week to work on things and get on the same page. It has been brutal so far, so any improvements would be a welcomed sight.

For now, Highsmith will look to continue to pace the the team in sacks with 6.5, good for 7th overall in the league. The Steelers will look to bounce back next week after their bye against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium.

#SteelerNation