The NFL Draft traditionally features teams not only jockeying for position on the board but making trade offers on future picks as well as current players on other teams’ rosters. NFL executives and coaches are looking for opportunities that fill their team needs but also make the most of the draft capital they hold.
Per a report released Thursday by Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, there are teams interested in negotiating with the Pittsburgh Steelers who hold 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Robinson alleges that the trade candidate other teams in the league have their eye on is outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.
“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. “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 cited an alleged “high-level personnel executive” stating they thought the Steelers will trade either Highsmith or Herbig.
The Steelers have made no indications that they are considering such a move. They brought in just Jack Kelly (BYU), Harold Perkins Jr (LSU), and Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) at linebacker for top-30 visits. That interest looks to be adding depth, not replacing a starter like Highsmith.
As Joe Kuzma pointed out on X, the Steelers currently have four outside linebackers on the roster that can produce. Last season, Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, and Jack Sawyer combined for 48 sacks. With Sawyer entering his sophomore season, the group could move from sixth-best in the NFL to a higher ranking in 2026 if kept together – familiarity breeding consistency at the edge.
The Steelers haven’t had a pair of OLBs with double-digit sacks since T.J Watt (14.5) and Bud Dupree (11.5) in 2019.
That year the Steelers led the league with 54 sacks.
The Steelers’ 48 sacks in 2025 was sixth-best in the NFL.
Is this the year they finally get back to having… pic.twitter.com/fLlqKCze4X
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If the Steelers were to be open to a trade for Highsmith, who will turn 29 in August, they would unload two years of his current contract for a scheduled base salary of $14.5 in 2026 and $15.5 in 2027 per Robinson.
One team reportedly interested in acquiring Highsmith is the Chicago Bears per Mike Moraitis of SI.com. Moraitis expressed that Highsmith would be an elite prize for the Bears after their shot at Dexter Lawrence – who was traded by the Giants to the Bengals – was missed.
“It’s no secret that the Chicago Bears desperately need to add to their defensive line this offseason, both at edge rusher and on the interior of the group,” Moraitis wrote. “While he isn’t an interior defensive lineman, Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Alex Highsmith would check the box of the edge rusher Chicago needs… Highsmith kills two birds with one stone. He’s a proven sack producer who can also provide a boost against the run. That’s about as good as it gets for the Bears.”
The question becomes whether Pittsburgh is willing to give up Highsmith, who earned a 82.0 PFF run defense grade (5th among all OLB in 2025), in trade. Moraitis predicted Highsmith – due to injury history – would cost Chicago a third-round pick. That seems a bit low considering teams are paying premium for edge rushers of late.
Whether there is outside interest or not, the Steelers will be in the driver’s seat for any trade involving Highsmith. They don’t need more picks this year… but they could utilize a trade in order to move up in the draft if there is a prospect they covet.