According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Steelers have a pair of pass rushers whose names are circulating as potential trade targets ahead of the NFL draft (h/t Steelers Depot).
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Via Yahoo Sports:
Highsmith’s name, along with that of teammate Nick Herbig, are definitely floating around front offices as the draft approaches, although it seems like either trade would be a one-and-done scenario, but not both, with Highsmith being the most likely candidate to be moved. Highsmith will turn 29 in August and still has two years left on a total scheduled base salary of $30 million ($14.5 in 2026 and $15.5 in 2027). With a strong year in 2026, he is expected to try to return to the negotiating table for an extension that restores his salary and gives him another two years of guaranteed money. But with Herbig waiting in the wings and having been very productive while rotating with Highsmith and TJ Watt, the Steelers are expected to field some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings. As one high-level personnel executive said, “I think they’re going to move one of them.”
We’ve written before about Herbig as a possible trade target for the 49ers, but Robinson also reported that Highsmith is viewed as the most available player. That’s partly because he will be 29 years old when the 2026 season begins. It’s also partly because of his contract status. The acquiring team will likely need to extend him to a deal higher than his current average annual value of $17 million. That contract expires after the 2027 season.
Despite the need to pay Highsmith, the 49ers should be on the phone with Pittsburgh about acquiring their second pass rusher. Highsmith has 40 sacks over the last four years and is consistently effective in getting after the quarterback with a pressure rate that regularly hovers between 13 and 16 percent.
His raise isn’t likely to land at the top of the market, which should make him more palatable to the 49ers while also giving them a proven NFL pass rusher to line up opposite Nick Bosa. Highsmith would also allow the 49ers’ pass rush to maintain some semblance of effectiveness if Bosa is unavailable, which is notable considering Bosa is coming off a torn ACL.
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It’s unclear how much it would cost San Francisco to acquire the soon-to-be 29-year-old. The 49ers have four fourth-round picks up for grabs in this year’s draft. They could include one of those and a Day 2 pick in 2027 to try to do it. Depending on how they feel about this year’s class, they could be willing to go as high as a second-round pick if they are able to recoup some draft capital in another deal.
Adding Highsmith would make a lot of sense for San Francisco, and they should be among the teams on the phone with the Steelers trying to work out a deal.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL Trade Rumors: Steelers May Trade Alex Highsmith, 49ers Should Call