Making room for Herbig

[Dan Smith--BYU]

https://steelersdepot.com/2026/02/like- ... or-herbig/

Bottom line is they gotta trade Watt or Highsmith and the former will be near impossible to move.

[.Kodiak]

They can do anything. Trading Watt or Highsmith just means restructuring to absorb a bunch of signing bonus, and then their contracts becomes a "value" deal and you can get a higher pick in trade.

Maybe Herbig is the guy they trade?

I think the bigger problem with TJ in trade is the last few years he's been breaking down and fading badly down the stretch. TJ has rarely shown to be the player at the end of the year [much less playoffs] anyone would want to trade a premium pick for. And Highmsith has his own durability questions, plus being an inconsistent Robin to Watt.

Herbig may be the only guy other teams are actually interested in.

[Steelafan77]

It’s been pointed out Herbig is a bit miscast as 34 edge. His size limitations are obvious although he’s performed well in spot duty when not injured.

Agree with Kodiak Herbig is the best trade prospect as Watt’s contract is just too egregious and drives down the trade value immensely.

Highsmith is also an unlikely trade prospect as his contract is expensive for the type player he has become. Longevity is a question mark.

[Mick]

It’s been pointed out Herbig is a bit miscast as 34 edge. His size limitations are obvious although he’s performed well in spot duty when not injured.

Agree with Kodiak Herbig is the best trade prospect as Watt’s contract is just too egregious and drives down the trade value immensely.

Highsmith is also an unlikely trade prospect as his contract is expensive for the type player he has become. Longevity is a question mark.

i dont see how he’s miscast in a 3-4; 4-3s need bigger Edge guys than 3-4s, so he’s better with us than elsewhere. He hasn’t really shown notable skills other than pass rush either so i’m not sure what alternative anyone would imagine.

[Stosh-67]

Untitled.jpg (78.7 KiB) Viewed 693 times

[Steelafan77]

From what I’ve read, I think it has more to do with prototypical parameters regarding the position. Length, weight, height….

Most here thought Herbig was more of a reach due to nepotism if I recall. I believe Herbig has out played most derogatory opinions.

He does seem to get injured more than is preferred but one can argue that for every player. I think [hope] they revisit edge in this draft.

[Stosh-67]

Hopefully the new regime, new DC can get a better rotation with these 3 guys and Sawyer.,

To try and keep them healthy and fresher for end of games, end of season.

TJ going into his year 32 season.
He plays 900-935 snaps in a healthy 17 game season.

Highsmith is also player in the 900+ snaps in a 17 games season.

Herbig actually got over 600 snaps in 15 games and 6 starts....aided by AH and TJ only playing 13 and 14 games.

Sawyer got a good amount of play time for a rookie OLB. 17 games, 1 start , 294 snaps.
I think he played alot better than most expected.
2 INTs led the team ( tied ) and 4 PD is the same as Queen had in 1100 + snaps........and one more than both Herbig and AH
Only 5 other defenders had more tackles for loss.

Keeping TJ and AH in the low 800 snap range.........seems like SBI.

Herbig may not have had 600+ snaps if both TJ and AH stayed healthy. That needs to change.

Would like to see the new DC get more looks with all 3 on the field, and since TJ does not like to roam........
That seems to be the roll for Herbig. as he is the quickest of the 3.

[Stosh-67]

From what I’ve read, I think it has more to do with prototypical parameters regarding the position. Length, weight, height….

Most here thought Herbig was more of a reach due to nepotism if I recall. I believe Herbig has out played most derogatory opinions.

He does seem to get injured more than is preferred but one can argue that for every player. I think [hope] they revisit edge in this draft.

77 ...do they usually roster 5 OLBs' ?
with 12 picks, they probably add an OLB in the draft.

I see ILB as much more of a need in this draft. and think it should come in one of the 5 top 100 picks....most likley with one of the 3rd rounders.

1-21
2-53
3-76
3-85
3-99
4-121
4-135

BUT....we need an impact ILB.
Queen has not shown to be that guy.
Maybe better Dline play....or beter Dline scheme, positioning bettr utilizes the Dline talent....and Qieen and Wilson play improves and they are filling holes and blowing up plays more often.

Looking at that ILB room...
Queen, Wilson, Harrison and Carson Bruenner......
and its missing future starter / star.

[Greeksteel]

I see ILB as much more of a need in this draft. and think it should come in one of the 5 top 100 picks....most likley with one of the 3rd rounders.

1-21
2-53
3-76
3-85
3-99
4-121
4-135

BUT....we need an impact ILB.

Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech

[swissvale72]

Keep all 4....watt, Highsmith, Herbig, sawyer

[Greeksteel]

Keep all 4....watt, Highsmith, Herbig, sawyer

if we could get back a 2026 or 2027 2nd or 3rd for unloading Watt and his contract, i would do that in a heartbeat. I thyink hes washed up at this point.

[Steelafan77]

To answer the question. No, they traditionally keep 4 OLB’s with perhaps a couple on PS.

I agree 67, ILB is the deeper need going forward. Especially if they cut/release Queen. [Cap Casualty]

Thinking Harrison is kept as a rotational veteran depth and they sign someone like Leo Chenal or Quay Walker or Nakobe Dean?

If anyone saw the Khan interview from earlier today, he talked about the ‘options’ with our good cap situation and 12 draft picks….

[swissvale72]

Keep all 4....watt, Highsmith, Herbig, sawyer

if we could get back a 2026 or 2027 2nd or 3rd for unloading Watt and his contract, i would do that in a heartbeat. I thyink hes washed up at this point.

He's not a $40M player, but I think he's got 2-3 years of solid football in him

[Mick]

If we were going to trade someone, it should be highsmith. He’s worth about $25/year, making $15/year, so a pass tush needy team could want him at that value (i think maybe even more than a 3rd could be had). TJ Watt is worth maybe $20/year and has $32/year guaranteed to him, so a hypothetical trade would be us getting a 7th and picking up $12M/year of his contract (above and beyond the $10M/year amortization cap hit already there). Championship?

Would be dumb to get rid of capable C1 Edge guys (ie, Herbig) unless you really think this is our window and he brings in the last piece for us.

In a sane world, we’d take Edge if it happened to be BPA, and if we came away from the draft with 5 edge guys, we’d look to move highsmith and if we didn’t pick up an edge we’d stick with what we have. And be glad there was one position we didn’t have to care about during FA.

[lifelongsteel]

If we were going to trade someone, it should be highsmith. He’s worth about $25/year, making $15/year, so a pass tush needy team could want him at that value (i think maybe even more than a 3rd could be had). TJ Watt is worth maybe $20/year and has $32/year guaranteed to him, so a hypothetical trade would be us getting a 7th and picking up $12M/year of his contract (above and beyond the $10M/year amortization cap hit already there). Championship?

Would be dumb to get rid of capable C1 Edge guys (ie, Herbig) unless you really think this is our window and he brings in the last piece for us.

In a sane world, we’d take Edge if it happened to be BPA, and if we came away from the draft with 5 edge guys, we’d look to move highsmith and if we didn’t pick up an edge we’d stick with what we have. And be glad there was one position we didn’t have to care about during FA.

This is the right position. I think Herbig is one of their core 5-6 young guys that you build around. Highsmith is good, not great. Still young enough to get something back. And they need to transition to younger guys every time they get the chance.

[Steelafan77]

Snip from combine interview earlier today….

https://youtu.be/XrSelouBqD4