The Pittsburgh Steelers could shop a couple of players in trade talks during the NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North division title this past season, but it's pretty clear the team needs some work.
The Steelers did address some of their holes in free agency, signing cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker while also swinging a trade for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
More adjustments still need to be made, however, and Pittsburgh could take care of that in the NFL Draft.
The Steelers own 12 picks, which is more than any other team in the league, but they could look to maneuver to give themselves even more draft capital. Or at least better draft capital.
How? By trading one of two edge rushers in Alex Highsmith or Nick Herbig, via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.
"Highsmith’s name, along with fellow edge Nick Herbig are definitely floating around front offices as the draft approaches, although it seems that any trade would be a one-but-not-both scenario, with Highsmith being the likelier candidate to get moved," Robinson wrote.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith. Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.Highsmith racked up 50 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 2025, although he played in just 13 games. Injuries have been an issue for the 28-year-old each of the last two seasons, as he also appeared in just 11 contests the campaign prior.
"But with Herbig waiting in the wings and having been very productive while rotating with Highsmith and T.J. Watt, the Steelers are expected to take some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings," Robinson added. "As one high-level personnel executive said, 'I think they will trade one of them [between Highsmith and Herbig].'"
Herbig registered 30 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 15 games this past season, and he achieved that in spite of playing in just 60 percent of Pittsburgh's defensive snaps.
He is also four years younger than Highsmith and is on a much cheaper deal, although that will change with Herbig entering the final year of his contract in 2026.
"To know whether or not that’s fully justified, Herbig really needs to be used as a full-time starter to get the best possible projection," Robinson wrote. "That may happen only if the Steelers can move Highsmith in a deal. If that’s not achievable or simply not getting traction, there are going to be some teams calling about Herbig.
We'll see what Pittsburgh decides to do with the NFL Draft starting this Thursday.
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