Steelers Now
With Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig receiving a massive new deal in June, speculation has emerged that Alex Highsmith could be traded.
Could the Carolina Panthers be an ideal trade partner? Panthers second-year edge rusher Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL during the team’s opening training camp practice.
The Panthers are now in need of an edge rusher. Highsmith, who is a North Carolina native, grew up rooting for the Panthers. He also played his college ball at the University of Charlotte.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported in June that the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers could be landing spots for Highsmith in a trade.
49ers insider Grant Cohn revealed what kind of trade compensation the Steelers are looking for.
“From what I’m hearing, they want a second-rounder for him,” Cohn said.
The Steelers have a desirable problem. After paying Herbig to stay around for seasons to come, Mike McCarthy’s team has a deep, but expensive group of outside linebackers.
Herbig slides in behind Steelers all-time leading sack-getter T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who has 45 for his career himself. Jack Sawyer also had an impressive rookie season.
Herbig, who’s entering his fourth professional campaign, has racked up 16 career sacks, including a personal-best 7.5 last season. He was tagged with an 86.7 overall grade by Pro Football Focus, which ranked seventh out of 115 edge rushers.
Highsmith wasn’t rated far behind, as his 82.9 overall grade slotted him 13th in that same group. His 9.5 sacks were the second-most in any of his six seasons in black and gold.
The Panthers play the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Week 16.
Brendan Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: NFC Team Emerges as Ideal Trade Partner for Alex Highsmith
