The Steelers started the 2024 season with two studs starting at outside linebacker, another stud in the making behind them, and yet another high round draft pick who appeared on the verge of realizing his potential behind him.
- So the Steelers were set, right?
Not so much. By week 6, their fifth string outside linebacker was making his second NFL start – and this was a guy who did not even dress in weeks 1-4.
With that experience in mind, how should outside linebacker play into Pittsburgh priorities in the 2025 NFL Draft?
T.J. Watt celebrates with Alex Highsmith. Photo Credit: NFL.com
Steelers Depth Cart at Outside Linebacker: The Starters
Just how good is T.J. Watt? Well consider this: During the Steelers 2024 season, critics were down on Watt because he “only” registered 11.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles.
For comparison’s sake, during the Steelers 1994 season Greg Lloyd enjoyed a career high 10 sacks and 6 forced fumbles. That performance got serious commentators to wondering whether Lloyd pivoting towards authoring a Hall of Fame resume. (Alas, injuries robbed Greg Lloyd of a shot at Canton.)
- T.J. Watt is the NFL’s best outside linebacker. Period.
Alongside T.J. Watt the Steelers have Alex Highsmith. Highsmith’s best year came in 2022 when he had 14.5 sacks. Since then his sack production has declined, but he’s been a strong against the run and has proven to be an effective counter-weight to Watt.
Steelers Outside Linebacker Depth Chart: The Backups
Nick Herbig stands behind Watt and Highsmith, and all Nick Herbig simply does is make plays. Herbig didn’t simply begin recording sacks and forced fumbles when he began getting playing time as a rookie, he does it at opportune times such has his strip sack of Joe Burrow in the Steelers road win over the Bengals.
If Herbig continues to improve at his current rate, this time next spring we could potentially be in a debate about whether he’s made Highsmith expendable.
The Steelers have brought back 2024’s fifth string linebacker Jeremiah Moon, after declining to give him the veteran minimum. However, before he was hurt early in the season, the Steelers had been working DeMarvin Leal in at outside linebacker.
Little has been heard of Leal from the team, although he has promised 2025 will be his redemption year.
The Steelers 2025 Draft Needs @ Outside Linebacker
Omar Khan has said he hope T.J. Watt will be a one jersey player, which means something as he’s someone who holds a lot of sway in making that happen. Alex Highsmith’s contract runs through 2027. And Nick Herbig has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
The Steelers appear to be set at outside linebacker.
But, as to 2024 showed, injuries can deplete depth in a hurry. The Steelers will carry four outside linebackers, and neither Moon nor Leal is certain to earn a roster spot, so the Steelers need at outside linebacker going into the 2025 NFL Draft must be considered Fair.
