There are a lot of positions the Pittsburgh Steelers could look to draft with the 21st overall pick. Wide receiver, cornerback, safety and the offensive line are some major spots that have been projected for the Steelers throughout this draft cycle. Which is why it was a bit surprising to see ESPN’s Peter Schrager mock an edge rusher to the Steelers at 21st overall, in Clemson’s T.J. Parker.
It’s not a slight against Parker, but edge rusher isn’t a position many have looked at in the first round for Pittsburgh. However, to CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, it’s not that crazy of an idea, and it actually might be one of the Steelers’ bigger roster needs.
“I was expecting something a little crazier than that. I don’t hate it. I know that there are a ton of needs…. Highsmith is there, and how much longer is T.J. Watt gonna play? After that, I think Herbig is in the last year of his rookie deal. There’s not a lot, right? I mean, I know we have Jack Sawyer on the roster, they drafted him last year on Day 3, but I don’t know if he’s a long-term solution there,” Wilson said Tuesday on 93.7 The Fan. “T.J. Parker’s a good player. So, is that not on your top-five list of needs, given the potential lack of depth at edge rusher?”
On paper, the Steelers feel set at edge. T.J. Watt wasn’t as explosive in 2025, but he’s still a quality defender whose resume speaks for itself. On the other side, Pittsburgh has Alex Highsmith, fresh off a very solid season of his own. And behind those two, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer represent some quality youth.
However, looking ahead, things could get a little murky. Watt’s level of play took a step back at times last year, and his contract would make it harder for the Steelers to move him if they wanted to. Highsmith is coming off one of his better seasons and is under contract through 2027.
While that gives the Steelers some security, it could make it harder to retain Herbig. He’s heading into the final year of his rookie deal and should have some value if he ends up hitting free agency. Pittsburgh will likely try to keep him around, but will he sign an extension knowing he’ll continue to sit behind Watt and Highsmith on the depth chart for the near future?
Jack Sawyer had some nice splash plays in his rookie season. But he’s got a ways to go before he meets the level of the Steelers’ starting edge rushers. If he doesn’t, and Herbig doesn’t stick around in Pittsburgh, there could be some questions at the position.
Schrager already thinks Parker would fit well in the first round. Other than him, some other edge rushers who might be available at 21 include Akheem Mesidor and Keldric Faulk.
Including edge as one of the Steelers’ top-five needs may feel like a stretch. For now, quarterback, cornerback, safety, the offensive line, and even linebacker have an argument as being more dire. But in the near future, things could get more complicated at the position. Wilson doesn’t think it’s a bad idea to get ahead of that in the first round this year.
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