It's that time of the year where we see what Pittsburgh Steelers players made the Pro Bowl. The game seems to have less and less meaning as the years go on, as it becomes more of a popularity contest through the fan vote than actual performance-based voting. This year, there is a flag football game instead, as there will be activities held in a four-day span as well. Steelers edge rusher, Alex Highsmith has taken that next step forward this season that everyone expected him to, but not quite enough to make this year's Pro Bowl.
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In 14 games, he's tied-for-fourth in the AFC and tied-for-seventh in the NFL with 11.0 sacks. Highsmith has been disruptive in other areas as well, racking up five forced fumbles, nine tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits. His impact seemed to put him in a good spot to make his first Pro Bowl team, but that's not the case. In Wednesday's announcement of the Pro Bowl rosters, he was snubbed, while fellow teammate, TJ Watt made it on the AFC squad.
While Watt remains one of the best defenders in all of football, he's played in just seven games. Beyond that, he has just four sacks, five tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits. Now those are good sacks for a seven-game stretch, but it's not enough to make up for the amount of games that he has missed. Watt is obviously a bigger name than Highsmith, hence why he got in over his counterpart.
Still, Highsmith's performance has been much more deserving of a Pro Bowl appearance. Now, the third-year linebacker may still make it, as he was selected as an alternate. Watt may not even participate in the activities due to his ongoing injuries this year, which could open the door for Highsmith to make it. Elsewhere on the Steelers, Minkah Fitzpatrick was deservedly selected as the lone free safety for the AFC. It'll be the third Pro Bowl appearance of his five-year career, all three of which have come in Pittsburgh.
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Beyond Highsmith, there were three more Steelers that are listed as alternates. Defensive lineman, Cam Heyward is among them, as he was somewhat surprisingly left off the initial AFC squad. A five-time Pro Bowler in his 12-year career, the veteran has still been very good in 2022. This year's potential absence would end his five-year streak of making the annual Pro Bowl. In 14 games, Heyward has 6.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
Second-year tight end, Pat Freiermuth and fullback, Derek Watt are the two other alternates for Pittsburgh. In 13 games, Freiermuth has 53 catches for 630 yards and two touchdowns. Dealing with an injury as of late, he was held without a catch for the first time in his career in the Steelers' Week 15 victory. Watt, the brother of TJ, has become a veteran in the Pittsburgh locker room.
While the fullback position continues to become less common in the modern era, Derek has provided immense value elsewhere. He is a core special teams player for this team, a former captain of that unit. Now in his third season in Pittsburgh, he may get the chance to join his brother at this year's Pro Bowl festivities in Las Vegas.
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Which of the alternates deserves to be on the actual team? Do you think TJ deserves making it at all? Who should be honored from the guys that were not mentioned at all? Share your thoughts in the comments below, yinz!
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