What can we get in a trade for Highsmith?

On trading Alex Highsmith: What can we realistically get in return? I don’t see anything better than a 3rd-round pick. Teams around the league know you can’t carry three highly paid players at the same position, so the Steelers may have to settle for even less. If you’re buying that convenient “illness” excuse that surfaced right after Nick Herbig’s massive contract, I’ve got some prime Pittsburgh bridges for sale.

Khan, work those phones. And do call the Browns twice. The just traded away the best player / edge rusher. Some team will take him and his cap#... I hope.

 

I'm hoping for another Highsmith trade thread or 2.

 

I looked and looked and looked

Although it is easy to tell when mom gives Joel iPad time

 

https://steelersdepot.com/2026/06/a...-signaling-no-issue-between-him-and-steelers/

It is almost like all the Twitter speculation on this issue was conducted by people who don't have a clue what they are talking about. But we know that the internet is full of geniuses so that can't be it. Must've just been a hiccup.

In all seriousness "...can't afford..." is a bit of stretch. This isn't some unexpected medical bill that insurance refused to pay and now the Steelers are stuck with it and have to sell the project car in the garage or take out a reverse mortgage or something. This is a contract deal that the team approached the player about. The Steelers asked to spend this money.

I am just going to go ahead and assume (maybe a bad idea) that the team was aware of all of the implications of spending this money and did not select the path labelled "Sign Herbig and panic trade Highsmith" as their Summer 2026 option.

 

Highsmith showed up to OTAs on Monday, maybe he was sick despite all of the dumb speculation otherwise.

 

Why are you and Khan trying to trade away our best player on Defense from last year?

Let me guess, you and Khan were also in favor of trading away our best player on offense the previous year; All-Pro WR George Pickens? Did you not see any of the Pickens vs The Entire Steelers WR room from last year. Hint George Pickens won.

Until this season begins Alex Highsmith is still the King of the Defense! Are you ready to see a bunch of Alex Highsmith vs the entire Steelers OLB room this year???

And if you forgot: Alex Higsmith led the team in both Sacks and Tackles for a Loss.

 

I noticed that Joel’s posts tend to die a quick death and I’m surprised this post wasn’t closed just flailing so these failures usually do better when just hijacked and talked about food

So let’s talk Tacos

Flour or corn

If corn hard soft or fried

Cheese fresco blanco Costco Mexican melting manchego cotija asadero

Meat flank shirt tilapia shrimp grouper black beans

lettuce tomato japalenos onion corn avocado

So what is your favorite and where

 

Unless we can get near pro bowl or pro bowl caliber ILB or DT/NT in a trade.... keep Highsmith in place. We need depth at OLB. Highsmith, Watt, Herbig and Sawyer is good depth. OLB is one of the most solid positions on the team, IMO.

 

Highsmith is not some untouchable piece for this team. In my opinion, he's clearly behind Watt, Heyward, and Porter in value to the Steelers. If he’s truly that valuable, why didn’t he get the kind of big-money extension Herbig just received? The fact that beat writers and national outlets keep floating trade rumors around him tells you everything.The Pickens trade was a massive L for Omar Khan. Giving up a top-tier young receiver and only getting a 3rd-round pick back is terrible value — especially when you factor in Pickens’ low 2025 cap hit, his on-field production, and the real chance we could’ve gotten a compensatory 3rd if we let him walk the year after. George Pickens is a top-8 NFL wide receiver talent, period.

Tomlin’s “diva management” has been a recurring issue. We’ve seen it with Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Pickens, and others. All Pro Bowl-level players. Even Martavis Bryant had the tools but never panned out. He was a diva too. I can’t think of another coach who’s had to deal with this many high-level talents and ultimately let them all walk. Can you? Now Khan trades a 2nd-round pick for DK Metcalf and takes on that massive long-term contract. DK is not worth his cap number, and in my view he’s a tier below Pickens as a player. He’s already shown the diva side — fighting with a fan mid-game. So we downgraded at the position, lost draft capital (2nd for a 3rd), and took a huge cap hit in 2025. Does this actually sound like a good move? Pickens got a major upgrade: going from Kenny Pickett to Dak Prescott (basically a 3x improvement at QB), moving into a better offensive scheme, and escaping Tomlin’s ultra hands-on style that clearly doesn’t mesh with um, strong-willed receivers .

Khan has had some wins in trade before — the Porter trade was excellent — but the Pickens deal and DK signing feel like real missteps. Don't you think?

Now watch when Highsmith is traded over the summer.

 

Ah, a topic I can respect, although I'll always take a burrito over a taco.
Prefer flour, but have never turned down corn, soft or fried (would rather fried).
Cheese is cheese. Cheddar, Mexi blend are best at home, but If I'm splurging I'll try casa fresco and cotija.
You forgot ground beef, always the easiest and cheapest. But sliced steak, marinated chicken, braised/smoked pork, shrimp are okay. Tilapia, however, isn't.
LTO is basic. Jalapenos for me, black olives. Black beans on a burrito, never rice. Love fresh cilantro. Salsa.

As far as favorite, choices are limited here outside of bar specials, but always prefer Moe's to Chipotle because I can't respect a place that doesn't serve a decent salsa.

 

Hmmm grilled shrimp

 

I don't think we should trade him. I want us to play the year out and see what happens. "We have too many good edge rushers" is a great problem to have.

I think the return could be something like a 2nd that's expected to be late in the round.

He'd be a phenomenal cap value to anyone in trade. And that increases the compensation.

I would be OK with a trade if we think it somehow gives us a much better chance of acquiring a franchise QB in next year's draft. And I just don't think the compensation will be high enough to do that.

Let's say we finish with our customary 20th pick (269 points per this chart).

To get into the top 3 picks, we'd need to have trade compensation worth 514 points. Probably more because there will likely be a premium on picks that could be used to pick a highly rated QB.

Add in our 20th pick in the 2nd (109) and let's say the 26th in the 2nd (93) and we get to 471. Probably would get us to something like 6th, maybe 5th. If the draft for QBs actually turns out to be deep, then maybe. And I think we're more likely to be picking before 20 than after it.