2022 was a breakout season for Pittsburgh Steelers edge Alex Highsmith. He finished with 14.5 sacks with was good enough for sixth-best in the NFL last season. Now Highsmith is looking to build on that not only to help his team but to help him cash in as he enters the final season of his rookie contract.
Highsmith set a lofty goal for himself in 20223, saying he is going to have 15+ sacks this season.
On paper, you might say Highsmith’s big 2022 season was a product of the T.J. Watt injury. But the truth is it was quite the opposite. While Watt was out with a partially torn pectoral, Highsmith struggled to beat double teams and get to the quarterback at all. The vast majority of his sacks came when Watt was healthy.
So realistically, if Watt is healthy and on his game in 2023, Highsmith might have a great opportunity to at least repeat the production he had in 2022.
Cast your vote and let us know how many sacks you expect Highsmith to have in 2023.