The Pittsburgh Steelers raised eyebrows throughout the 2023 NFL Draft after they picked Wisconsin EDGE Nick Herbig within the fourth spherical and stored him at exterior linebacker.
That alternative has confirmed to be a sensible one. Although Herbig doesn’t seize headlines like T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith due to his restricted enjoying time, his efficiency when given the prospect speaks volumes.
Professional Soccer Focus analyst Jonathon Macri lately named Herbig as essentially the most underrated participant on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.
Probably the most underrated participant for each group within the AFC North 👀 pic.twitter.com/K1Uq9bN7V4
— PFF (@PFF) Might 17, 2025
“Since 2022, Herbig owns a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks seventh amongst all edge defenders with at the least 250 pass-rush snaps. With Watt and Highsmith sometimes lacking time resulting from damage, having a high-end cross rusher like Herbig ready within the wings is a really underrated and useful possibility that not many groups have the posh of,” Macri wrote in his evaluation.
Herbig wasted no time exhibiting his potential on the sphere. As a rookie backing up Watt and Highsmith, he recorded 27 tackles, three sacks, and compelled two fumbles.
His sophomore season in 2024 was much more spectacular, as he racked up 5.5 sacks and 4 compelled fumbles throughout 13 video games, together with 5 begins.
Even whereas coping with accidents that sidelined him for elements of the season, Herbig constantly made his presence felt at any time when he performed.
He has successfully decreased the workload for Watt and Highsmith whereas nonetheless producing strain and making large performs because the third edge possibility.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ exterior linebacker room appears to be like even stronger now with the addition of Ohio State standout Jack Sawyer within the fourth spherical of this yr’s draft.
This group may quickly be acknowledged as some of the formidable linebacker models within the NFL.
Quietly growing behind established stars, Herbig represents the depth that championship-caliber groups want.
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