PFF names Steelers' T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith NFL's best edge duo in 2025
PFF's Zoltán Buday recently named the best duos for every position ahead of the 2025 season — with Watt and Highsmith taking the edge defenders spot:
"While Highsmith was hindered by injuries last season, he was still among the most effective pass rushers in the league when on the field. His 89.3 PFF pass-rushing grade ranked seventh among 109 edge defenders. On the other hand, Watt led the position with a 90.3 PFF run-defense grade and ranked sixth in PFF pass-rushing grade (90.1), one spot ahead of Highsmith."
Highsmith has been working with Nick Herbig so far this offseason — as Watt's contract holdout caused him to miss Steelers OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Watt's presence is sorely missed, and whenever (if at all) a deal gets done, he will look to pick up right where he left off opposite Highsmith.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
4 free-agent safeties for the Steelers to consider after the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a huge trade to land former Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Tight end Jonnu Smith. In exchange, the Steelers sent All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins. This trade leaves the Steelers minus their starting free safety and decisions to make about how they will replace him in the starting lineup. We discussed several options for how Pittsburgh will approach the position in 2025, with current Steelers Juan Thornhill and rookie Sebastian Castro as our favorite options. This includes the idea of playing cornerback Darius Slay and Jaylen Ramsey as hybrid safeties, which we have never felt like is a strong strategy. Advertisement One of the options we discussed was for the Steelers to sign a free agent. Here are four guys on the market right now the Steelers could consider. Julian Blackmon Blackmon is 26 years old and has 62 starts over his first six NFL seasons. Justin Simmons Simmons is the star of the class. He's 31 years old, is heading into his 10th NFL season and has 124 career starts. Vonn Bell Bell is 30 years old, is also heading into his 10th NFL season like Simmons and has 117 career starts. Marcus Williams Williams is 28 years old, is heading into his ninth NFL season and has started 106 games. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 4 free-agent safeties for the Steelers to consider after the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mark Kaboly shares troubling update on Steelers' wide receiver pursuit
Don't hold your breath on Pittsburgh adding additional wide receivers this offseason — as insider Mark Kaboly shed light on what position the Steelers are really after. The recent Minkah Fitzpatrick trade left the Steelers with a glaring hole at safety — and Kaboly doesn't believe FS Juan Thornhill is the long-term answer. Advertisement During Thursday's appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kaboly was asked whether he thinks the Steelers will sign a safety over a wide receiver — here was his response: "Yeah, probably," Kaboly said. "I mean, they love Calvin Austin, man. They think Roman Wilson can step up. They're intrigued with Robert Woods. Now, at this point [in free agency], what are you going to get? Are you going to get a Keenan Allen that doesn't want to play, or Amari Cooper? … I like Calvin Austin. I don't know if he could take it to that next level that they need to take it to, but I think they're very willing to be able to take that chance to see if he can do it." It's also worth mentioning that many believe newly acquired TE Jonnu Smith could take some snaps at receiver — particularly in the slot — serving as more evidence that the Steelers value their in-house pass catchers over any more signings. Advertisement If the Steelers do pursue another safety in free agency, my money would be on four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons or Julian Blackmon. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers will pursue safety over wide receiver, says Mark Kaboly
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Mark Kaboly shares troubling update on Steelers' wide receiver pursuit
Don't hold your breath on Pittsburgh adding additional wide receivers this offseason — as insider Mark Kaboly shed light on what position the Steelers are really after. The recent Minkah Fitzpatrick trade left the Steelers with a glaring hole at safety — and Kaboly doesn't believe FS Juan Thornhill is the long-term answer. During Thursday's appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kaboly was asked whether he thinks the Steelers will sign a safety over a wide receiver — here was his response: "Yeah, probably," Kaboly said. "I mean, they love Calvin Austin, man. They think Roman Wilson can step up. They're intrigued with Robert Woods. Now, at this point [in free agency], what are you going to get? Are you going to get a Keenan Allen that doesn't want to play, or Amari Cooper? … I like Calvin Austin. I don't know if he could take it to that next level that they need to take it to, but I think they're very willing to be able to take that chance to see if he can do it." It's also worth mentioning that many believe newly acquired TE Jonnu Smith could take some snaps at receiver — particularly in the slot — serving as more evidence that the Steelers value their in-house pass catchers over any more signings. If the Steelers do pursue another safety in free agency, my money would be on four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons or Julian Blackmon. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
