NFL Draft

How Alex Highsmith's New Contract Impacts Steelers' 2024 NFL Draft Plans

The Steelers have filled what could have been a huge need looking ahead to next offseason.

Luke Easterling

Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of drafting and developing talent from the middle rounds of the NFL Draft, and keeping those players with long-term contracts just like the one they signed Wednesday with outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Highsmith, who broke out last season with 14.5 sacks while playing opposite T.J. Watt, has a new five-year deal that replaces the final year of his current rookie deal and tacks on four more years for up to $68 million.

Watt is already locked up with a massive deal, but with Highsmith potentially headed for free agency after this season, the possibility of his departure was looming large over the Steelers' potential approach to next year's draft.

After a stellar 2023 draft, the Steelers don't have many glaring needs on the roster, and without an extension for Highsmith, finding another pass rusher to pair with Watt was likely to be atop their list of priorities for next year's first-round pick. Instead, Watt and Highsmith will be set in stone as their edge-rushing starters for the next few years, which will free up Pittsburgh to address other areas with their early picks.

Quality depth behind Watt and Highsmith should still be a priority next offseason, but now the Steelers can look for value in the middle and later rounds (as well as free agency) instead of feeling forced into finding Highsmith's replacement at the top of the draft.

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Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

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