Steelers' Alex Highsmith Would Be Ideal Compensation For The 49ers: "He Is The One Guy That Would Be Sort Of Interesting"

The Pittsburgh Steelers could and should be one of the teams in the mix for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk after he requested a trade on Tuesday. Pittsburgh needs help at receiver to take some of the pressure off of George Pickens, and the tension is growing between Aiyuk and the 49ers, as they are nowhere close on a new deal. 

The rumors about Aiyuk coming to Pittsburgh have been growing throughout the entire 2024 offseason. Now that he has requested a trade, the speculation grows. Pittsburgh would need to fork over some valuable assets in the initial trade, while also agreeing on an extension for Aiyuk simultaneously. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly was on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday, where he gave his thoughts on a potential deal between the Steelers and 49ers.

"It's all in the 49ers' court to be honest with you. Why would you get rid of him right now, at $14 million, if you're not going make your team instantly better? So, the only way you make your team instantly better is you trade player for player, right? Player for player trades don't really happen a ton in the NFL right now. They would want something to help them this year. And what do the Steelers have? I mean just hypothetically speaking, to offer them to make them better."

San Francisco has been flirting with the Lombardi Trophy for several seasons. They lost in the NFC Championship Game in 2022, and then lost Super Bowl LVIII in 2023. They are one of the clear contenders in the league, and it makes sense that they would want a player to help them in return for Aiyuk.

San Francisco extended Jauan Jennings during the 2024 offseason and selected a receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but losing Aiyuk would still hurt them. Where they have a need is on defense, where they could use a secondary pass rusher. Ron Starkey asked Kaboly about Alex Highsmith, and he said that would intrigue the 49ers.

"He [Highsmith] is the one guy that would be sort of interesting. A pass rusher that they need, maybe throw a Dan Moore Jr. in there. Maybe you go that route. I don't like that route. I don't think they would do that route."

Pittsburgh just extended Highsmith prior to the 2023 season, and throwing him into the deal would certainly alleviate the financial pain of inking Aiyuk to a huge deal. Highsmith seems to improve every season, and is one of the better pass rushers in the league. Pittsburgh has a promising second-year player in Nick Herbig behind Highsmith, which could be the reason the Steelers would even consider this deal.

Steelers' Alex Highsmith Is An Integral Part Of The Defense

Highsmith paired with TJ Watt is one of the best pass rushing duos in the entire NFL. Highsmith came into the league in 2020, and became a consistent starter in 2021. He broke out in 2022, recording 14.5 sacks - which was impressive considering Watt only appeared in 10 games. His sack numbers digressed in 2023, but his impact was still felt. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Highsmith recorded an overall grade of 90.3 for the 2023 season. He recorded 69 pressures, which played a factor in Watt being able to lead the league in sacks with 19. Highsmith doesn't get the same shine as Watt, but is a big reason for the perennial All-Pro's success. Highsmith made plays outside of rushing the quarterback, as he also had 2 interceptions on the year, including one which was returned for a touchdown in Week 2. 

If Highsmith intrigues the 49ers as much as Kaboly thinks he does, Pittsburgh should still refrain from making that deal. Watt counts on Highsmith, and the defense doesn't produce as much with one of them off of the field. Even with Herbig waiting in the wings, trading Highsmith is the wrong move.

Would you give up Highsmith for Aiyuk? Let us know in the comments below!

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