The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their training camp at Saint Vincent College on July 23, with a focus on strengthening their outside linebacker position. The team boasts notable players like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, all of whom were recently ranked among the top 32 edge rushers in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
T.J. Watt continues to be a formidable force in the league, excelling both in pass rushing and run defense. Despite a decrease in sack numbers from 19 in 2023 to 11.5 in 2024, Watt’s performance remains impressive. He also led the NFL with six forced fumbles last season.
Alex Highsmith had a challenging year due to an ankle injury that limited him to 11 games. Nevertheless, he managed to secure six sacks and nine tackles for loss. His ability to set the edge against the run is well-regarded within the league.
Nick Herbig, although not as strong against the run as his counterparts, contributed significantly with 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles over just 415 defensive snaps despite missing four games due to injury.
Jeremiah Moon has been recognized for his special teams contributions, including blocking one of three kicks last season.
The Steelers have added depth by drafting Jack Sawyer from Ohio State in the fourth round. Sawyer recorded nine sacks during his college career and showed promise during Ohio State’s playoff run.
Julius Welschof returns for another season after joining through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and spending part of last year on the practice squad.
Eku Leota also joins the roster after signing a futures contract following stints on practice squads with both Carolina Panthers and Steelers last year. Leota had seven sacks during his final collegiate season at Auburn.
•Dale Lolley is co-host of “SNR Drive” on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
