Highsmith or Nick Herbig on the trade block?

https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/i...hsmith-nick-herbig-for-potential-draft-trade/

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/articl...s1yJ_E3FnRxZRTSfV7lyxpJwHRytAuRZZksaQDPkmdmB2

 

Not going to look because I'm pretty sure at least one is quoting Fittipaldo or Dulac who are just trying to generate clicks by speculating about magic beans. They have gotten almost to Maddens level and thats saying something.

 

Her big has to stay

 

This is Charles Robinson from yahoo....

 

who is reporting on speculation done by Pittsburgh beat writers from the last few weeks. Speculation saying Herbig is unhappy in his role and wants to start so he may be seeking a trade since he is in the last year of his rookie deal while Watt and Highsmith are locked up with big contracts and Sawyer flashed in the latter half of the season. They then speculate about flipping one or the other in a trade to attain even more draft picks(aka magic beans)because of course everyone wants the Steelers elite players and will hand over a gaggle of draft picks to get them. its slow news in the NFL

Here is one from yesterday that adds no new information except to rehash that Pickens is immature and given to lashing out.
https://stillcurtain.com/pittsburgh...-keeps-looking-better-and-better-01kpd3r5apx6

 

Lets assume its true.

I would be fine with either being traded, but ONLY if the return is suprisingly good. Herbig is a great rotation DE/OLB, but I doubt he'd hold up as a full-time starter. Highsmith is good, not great and mostly came via TJ Watt taking pressure off him (TJ getting the TE/RB chip ins and not Highsmith. TJ is obviously trending down so its just time until Highsmith starts getting those chips and trends down too.

Highsmith has a big contract number, so moving on from that could be a plus, but trading either of these guys (or Watt) creates a starter/depth downgrade at DE/OLB. Still would be a solid tandem starting, but no proven backup (draft maybe brings that).

If one of them brings back a good pick (1st or 2nd rounder) say in 2027 and an extra pick in 2026, cool. If 3rd or lower, not sure that does much to move the needle.

Still Graham/DC may have preference for a type of DE/OLB.

I hold out hope they can pawn a down-trading Watt on another team in desperated need of jolting the fan base and thinking they're getting 2021/22/23 Watt and not 25/26 Watt.

If they move Watt (doubtful) then Herbig/Highsmith with Sawyer pitching in and hopefully a solid prospect in the draft this year and things are looking solid if not better than watching Watt have little impact again.

 

Here’s the thing. I’m all for trading either or both.

But you’ve also got to backfill the position.

Trade Highsmith. Start Herbig. You then still need a rotational pass rusher.

Either an asset the Steelers already hold or an asset they get back is now required to be used for that roster position.

 

sawyer

 

Steelers fans are delusional I don't see either of those players being worthy of giving up a first round pick for.

 

Click click

 

Nah, you don't trade both of them and make a strength a weakness. Herbig I could see being trade bait because he wants to start.

 

Then you need to fill Sawyer’s spot.

 

Ideally neither.

That said, for the right price, I would entertain the offer for Herbig. Of the two, Herbig's value will be greater. In addition, speed EDGEs like him are in abundance in this draft. Malachi Lawrence would be a suitable replacement for Nick. Bigger, more explosive, longer, more agile and just as versatile.

If Alex Highsmith is traded, Deni Dennis Sutton would be someone I'd go after. Very good if not great at run stopping as an EDGE. Pass rushing though will take time but he did show some progress last season.


Again though, for me, ideally neither UNLESS there is value in either or I would not be able to say no to.

 

well anyway we need to find a way t Trade up in the top 15 than there is a drop off

 

New DC, maybe he can get more out of highsmith, or else, trade him.

 

I have to admit I would be putting both Herbig and Highsmith on the trade block to see if there is another team out their desperate enough to trade this years 1st round, #10 overall pick for a 29 year old.

Just crazy the Bengal traded away their 1st round 10th overall pick for a Dexter Lawrence, player that will be a 29 year old edge rusher.

 

Lawrence isn't an edge rusher. He is a defensive tackle, a dominant one up until this past season.

 

That would probably cost us our second and at least one third

Do you have someone in mind worth that

 

Lawrence isn't an edge rusher, he's a DT. He's a good pass rusher from the interior... but not an edge player.

I am certain that Highsmith's value would be higher, since he's actually been a full time starter and had really nice stats for much of that time... but there could be some appeal to Herbig being the younger player. I doubt a first round pick is in play for either of them. Both are good players, but Lawrence is a two time all pro player... Though Bradley Chubb got a first back and I wouldn't say Highsmith's value is too far off him outside of being a touch older.

I wouldn't trade either of them unless there was a good bit of overpay. I think we really need to figure out if Watt is going to have a bounce back or not. I get that he's un-cuttable until after 2027, but if he isn't great again this year I might consider trading him in a cap dump type of deal and signing Herbig long term. Can't do that if we ship either of our other two rushers out.