The Steelers went offense with their first selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, 49th overall, taking receiver Chase Claypool out of Notre Dame. Fifty-three picks later, when the Steelers rolled back around in the third round at 102nd overall, they went to the other side of the ball, scooping up 6-foot-3, 248-pound edge rusher Alex Highsmith out of UNC-Charlotte.
While Highsmith didn't litter ESPN highlights or garner mega-volumes of national attention playing for Charlotte, he knew at least one team had its eye on him as the draft began.
"I had an interview with Coach [Mike] Tomlin and Mr. [Kevin] Colbert," Highsmith was saying during a call after Round 3. "So [they] were one of the only two teams that had the head coach and GM [present]. I knew they were really interested in me."
Highsmith played defensive end during a standout senior season at Charlotte, when he had 15 sacks, 75 tackles (43 solo), 21.5 tackles for a loss, three passes defended and two forced fumbles. But with the Steelers, he will stand up and play at outside linebacker.
"I knew coming into this scheme, they run a 3-4, so I knew that’s the position I was going to be, so that’s a position that I feel like I can play," Highsmith said. "I played it freshman year in college. I played hand-in-the-dirt defensive end the last few years, but there [weren’t many] options, so I’m really ready to step into that role.”
The Steelers had the opportunity to draft Highsmith thanks to the NFL's compensatory pick formula, which awarded them the 102nd overall pick after last offseason's list of transactions, notably losing Le'Veon Bell and Jesse James in free agency to the Jets and the Lions, respectively. The Steelers traded their original third-round pick for this year during last year's draft, sending it to the Broncos as part of a package that included their 2019 first-round pick (20th overall) and 2019 second-round pick to move up to No. 10 overall and select Devin Bush.
The Patriots traded up to pick No. 101 to get ahead of the Steelers, taking tight end Dalton Keene out of Virginia Tech.
HOW HE MIGHT FIT
Highsmith's tape is worth a look:
Last season, Highsmith made waves with that gaudy 15-sack season, capping an incredible and unlikely four-year collegiate career that saw him steadily improve. Highsmith was a walk-on for Charlotte, never recording more than three sacks until that senior season, when he captured the nation's (and the Steelers') attention. That ascent mattered for Colbert and Tomlin.
"We don’t think this kid’s anywhere near where he might be someplace down the road," Colbert said.
"It’s obvious that he’s a technician," Tomlin said. "He studies the rush element of play. He really took a significant step in 2019 in terms of developing his rush repertoire, and I think that it was obviously beneficial to him, in terms of his production, and it is reasonable to expect that growth and understanding in analyzing what he does and how it produces plays to continue, even as he takes the step to this level of play."
In watching Highsmith's tape, I see him as a bit raw and unrefined, but Tomlin disagreed, citing that term specifically — "raw" — as a label he wouldn't apply.
“I’m just looking at Alex and the things that he brings," Tomlin said. "We were really impressed by his resumé, obviously the development of his skills over the course of his time [at Charlotte]. I wouldn’t necessarily call him 'raw,' in terms of the techniques relative to rush. Like I mentioned in my opening statement, it was a fluid and fun process getting to know him because he’s a football junkie in that way, in terms of how he develops skill, relative to his position.
"Obviously there’s going to be an adjustment as he transitions to the National Football League — not only for him, but for all of these guys — but particularly for him, obviously, coming from North Carolina-Charlotte. Man, he’s going to have to get acclimated to the pace of play and things of that nature and playing on two feet all the time, which I’m sure he’ll be excited about attacking, and we will be [too], in terms of attacking it with him.”
Highsmith will have a major advantage in terms of this growth here, where he'll initially play behind two of the best outside linebackers in the NFL, T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. For now, Highsmith can contribute on special teams while continuing to grow and learn, something all parties involved acknowledged.
"I’m just so excited to be able to just learn from those two guys, who are just two of the best pass-rushers in this league, so I’m just ready to step up everything .. and just ready to learn so much from them and just really do whatever I can to help this team get back to another Super Bowl," Highsmith said.
“I don’t think, you know, he’s not going to get a redshirt year," Colbert said. "I can’t speak for the coaches, but I know Coach Tomlin’s expectation will be this young man will contribute when he’s ready. Again, physically, he’s 6-3 [and a quarter], 244 pounds, he can run. Can he get stronger? Sure. They all can. Again, it’s just learning at this level. But I don’t think anybody’s going, ‘Oh, this is a redshirt situation.’ We’re going to expect him to come in and be able to contribute, again, like we mentioned, first and foremost on the special teams … Like Chase, both of those guys should be able to help immediately on special teams as they grow as a receiver and a linebacker.”
For Highsmith, the upside and the talent pops off the film, and the Steelers clearly see it. The adjustment, now, becomes crucial. Highsmith, even if you don't want to use the term "raw," faces an uphill battle in transitioning from Conference USA's Charlotte 49ers to the AFC North-contending Pittsburgh Steelers.
And he's embracing it.
“I’m ready for the challenge," Highsmith said. "Being from a smaller school, I didn’t get much good competition to play against, but some of my best games the past couple years were the top-five teams we played. So, I’m excited for the transition. Like I said, I’m just trying to do whatever I can … do the best I can, just be the hardest worker on the team … I’m just excited and I just can’t wait to get to work. I’m hoping we can report to the facility soon, but [I’ll] just do whatever I can to stay in shape [and be] ready to get to work.”
With the Bengals selecting Joe Burrow first overall on Thursday during Day 1 of the draft, the AFC North is now loaded with talented quarterbacks. The Ravens' Lamar Jackson just won the league's MVP last season after lighting up the scoreboard throughout a 14-2 season, while Baker Mayfield has flashed star potential for the Browns, as well. That isn't lost on Tomlin, and it's a major reason he valued Highsmith, despite already having Watt and Dupree.
“Alex gives us quality depth at a position where you need quality rush-men," Tomlin said. "We now have three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in the AFC North, man. We’re going to employ people to hunt those guys. Hopefully, he’ll aid us in that regard.”
