Alex Highsmith

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		90	337	45.0	3
2025		13	50	9.5	0
2024		11	45	6.0	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Alex Highsmith a C Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. A B+ performance grade paired with a $17M AAV commitment across four years places him squarely in that awkward middle band—above replacement-level production that justifies a roster spot, but not elite enough to absorb a contract that anchors the upper-echelon starter tier. His 2025 season (50 tackles, 9.5 sacks across 13 games) represents solid above-average edge rusher output, the kind of production that keeps a defense functional without becoming a centerpiece; it's respectable work that would normally merit quiet organizational satisfaction. Yet the prevailing media narrative has shifted him from dependable contributor into a movable asset, with trade speculation and whispers about potential blockbuster deals now dominating league chatter rather than any discussion of his Walter Payton nomination or locker-room leadership. At 28 in his sixth NFL season, Highsmith sits at a contract inflection point—veteran enough to command meaningful money, but not yet in the rarefied air where that salary becomes clearly bargain-basement. Pittsburgh's recent receiver and linebacker additions, coupled with the absence of any unambiguous public commitment to retention, suggest the front office views him as replaceable rather than foundational, which is the surest tell that his CVI remains constrained by the persistent gap between his mid-tier execution and upper-tier compensation.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Alex's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Alex Highsmith has developed into one of Pittsburgh's most reliable pass-rush threats since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2020. Now in his sixth season, the 28-year-old edge defender earns a B+ grade, reflecting steady improvement and legitimate starter-caliber production. He sits comfortably in the upper tier of 4-3 outside linebackers across the AFC. His pass-rush numbers are genuinely elite this season — 0.73 sacks per game dwarfs the NFL average of 0.15 and surpasses the elite threshold of 0.51, drawing favorable comparisons to young Myles Garrett in terms of consistency. His tackles-per-game rate of 3.85 also outpaces the league average of 2.19, demonstrating reliable run-defense engagement. His pass-deflection rate of 0.23 per game sits near league average, signaling some room to grow in coverage assignments and overall versatility. His trajectory tells an encouraging story — grades climbing from a C+ in 2023 to back-to-back B- marks in 2024 and 2025, with the upward arc suggesting a player still refining his craft. If Highsmith can expand his pass-coverage impact and sustain his elite sack production through a full 17-game schedule, a legitimate A-range breakout season is within reach. Watch for how Pittsburgh deploys him in sub-packages as the defense evolves under coordinator Teryl Austin.

How Alex Compares at the Position

Alex Highsmith ranks 41st of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Alex between Quay Walker (B+) just ahead and Dre Greenlaw (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Alex Highsmith enters 2026 as a competent edge rusher with 45 career sacks and a mid-tier $17M annual contract, positioning him squarely in the solid starter category without All-Pro recognition. Recent trade speculation linking him to the 49ers and other contenders reflects genuine NFL interest rather than distress, suggesting teams view him as a movable asset with legitimate defensive value. However, the prevalence of trade rumors—while not overtly negative—introduces uncertainty about his long-term role in Pittsburgh and dampens perception relative to a player with stable roster security. Media coverage remains largely neutral and factual, focusing on hypothetical landing spots rather than performance criticism or locker room concerns. Heading into 2026, Highsmith's perception sits at the boundary between solid starter baseline and slight elevation due to trade interest, reflecting a player of proven competence whose future remains in flux.