NFL · 8 hours ago

Countdown to Latrobe: Steelers Top 4 Ranked OLBs via PFF Metrics

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

Steelers OLBs Rankings
Steelers OLB PFF Stable Metrics Rankings

Pass Rush Grade
- Nick Herbig - 93rd
- J. Watt - 82nd (tie)
- Alex Highsmith - 82nd (tie)
- Jack Sawyer - 36th
Pass Rush Grade on True Pass Rushes
- Nick Herbig - 91st
- J. Watt - 77th
- Alex Highsmith - 59th
- Jack Sawyer -18th
Pass Rush Grade Without Play Action
- Nick Herbig - 95th
- J. Watt - 68th
- Alex Highsmith - 65th
- Jack Sawyer - 10th
Pass Rush Win Percentage
- Nick Herbig - 91st
- Alex Highsmith - 79th
- J. Watt - 60th
- Jack Sawyer - 36th
Run Defense Grade
- Alex Highsmith - 92nd
- Nick Herbig - 86th
- J. Watt - 68th
- Jack Sawyer - 49th
Run Stop Percentage
- Alex Highsmith - 80th
- Jack Sawyer - 78th
- J. Watt - 37th
- Nick Herbig - 33rd
Steelers OLBs Rankings
Steelers Pass Rush Standard Remains the NFL Benchmark

Few organizations have built a defensive identity around outside linebackers like the Pittsburgh Steelers. From Jack Lambert giving way to the Blitzburgh era, to Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Joey Porter, James Harrison, and now T.J. Watt, the Steelers have consistently developed edge defenders capable of changing games with one snap.

PFF's Stable Metrics attempt to remove the noise from sacks and splash plays by focusing on predictive categories that translate from season to season. Rather than simply counting sacks, these metrics evaluate how consistently an edge defender wins as a pass rusher while also measuring run defense and finishing ability.

Pittsburgh's current room remains among the league's deepest. Watt continues to perform at an elite level, Nick Herbig is rapidly emerging as one of the NFL's most efficient young pass rushers, Alex Highsmith remains one of football's most complete edge defenders, while Jack Sawyer provides another intriguing developmental piece.

Steelers Edge PFF Defensive Grades
- 87.3 Nick Herbig | 7 of 119
- 82.2 Alex Highsmith | 12 of 119
- 74.2 T.J. Watt | 31 of 119
- 58 Jack Sawyer | 105 of 119
Slide to continue to PFF Stable Metics
Steelers OLBs Rankings: 1) Nick Herbig
Nick Herbig: The NFL's Next Breakout Pass Rusher?

Nick Herbig's Stable Metrics suggest Pittsburgh may already have another star waiting in the wings. Few edge defenders can match the consistency he displayed across nearly every predictive category.

Herbig ranks above the 90th percentile in four different metrics, highlighted by elite grades on true pass rushes, traditional passing situations and overall pass-rush production. His Run Defense Grade also lands in the 86th percentile, reinforcing that he is becoming much more than simply a designated pass rusher.

Herbig’s four-year $100 million dollar contract extension shows the confidence Pittsburgh has in the former fourth pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Nick Herbig PFF Stable Metrics
- Pass Rush Grade: 93rd percentile
- True Pass Rush Grade: 91st percentile
- Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action): 95th percentile
- Pass Rush Win Rate: 91st percentile
- Run Defense Grade: 86th percentile
- Run Stop Percentage: 33rd percentile
Herbig’s Player Outlook

Every predictive indicator points toward Herbig becoming one of the NFL's premier edge rushers if his workload continues to increase.
Steelers OLBs Rankings: 2) Alex Highsmith
Alex Highsmith: The Always Forgotten Star

Overshadowed by Watt nationally, Alex Highsmith continues to quietly produce one of the league's most balanced edge profiles. His Stable Metrics reveal a player capable of impacting both the run and pass at a consistently high level.

Highsmith ranks inside the top 20 percent in Run Defense Grade and Run Stop Percentage, illustrating why Pittsburgh trusts him in every situation. His pass-rush grades remain well above average, particularly his overall Pass Rush Grade, while his Pass Rush Win Rate also places comfortably inside the upper tier.

Unlike many edge rushers who excel in one area, Highsmith brings reliable production regardless of down or distance.

Alex Highsmith PFF Stable Metrics
- Pass Rush Grade: 82nd percentile
- True Pass Rush Grade: 59th percentile
- Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action): 65th percentile
- Pass Rush Win Rate: 79th percentile
- Run Defense Grade: 92nd percentile
- Run Stop Percentage: 80th percentile
Highsmith Player Outlook

Highsmith remains one of the NFL's most complete edge defenders and continues to complement Watt as one of football's best pass-rushing tandems.
Steelers OLBs Rankings: 3) T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt: Still the Standard

Even after years of dominance, T.J. Watt continues to produce Stable Metrics that place him among the NFL's elite pass rushers. Four of his six predictive categories rank inside the league's top 20 percent, illustrating why offenses continue to dedicate extra blockers to slowing him down.

Perhaps most impressive is Watt's consistency. Whether facing true pass sets or traditional dropbacks without play action, his production remains remarkably stable. The lone metric that falls below his usual standard is Run Stop Percentage, though his overall Run Defense Grade remains comfortably above average, showing he continues to impact every phase of the game.

T.J. Watt’s PFF Stable Metrics
- Pass Rush Grade: 82nd percentile
- True Pass Rush Grade: 77th percentile
- Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action): 68th percentile
- Pass Rush Win Rate: 60th percentile
- Run Defense Grade: 68th percentile
- Run Stop Percentage: 37th percentile
Watt’s Player Outlook

The sacks may fluctuate, but PFF's predictive data continues to support Watt as one of football's premier edge defenders entering 2026.
Steelers OLBs Rankings: 4) Jack Sawyer
Jack Sawyer: Development Will Be Key

Pittsburgh invested their fourth-round pick in 2025 NFL Draft in the former Ohio State star in Jack Sawyer. He enters year two in Pittsburgh with intriguing physical tools, but his Stable Metrics show a player still developing into a complete NFL edge defender.

His strongest projection comes as a run defender, where his Run Stop Percentage ranks in the 78th percentile. Beyond that, however, the metrics suggest improvement is needed.

His pass-rush categories largely fall into the middle or lower third, especially against true pass sets and standard passing situations without play action.

For Pittsburgh, that isn't necessarily a concern. Rookie edge defenders often require time behind veterans before making a significant leap.

Jack Sawyer PFF Stable Metrics
- Pass Rush Grade: 36th percentile
- True Pass Rush Grade: 18th percentile
- Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action): 10th percentile
- Pass Rush Win Rate: 36th percentile
- Run Defense Grade: 49th percentile
- Run Stop Percentage: 78th percentile
Sawyer’s Player Outlook

Sawyer posted a 53.8 PFF grade as a rookie. It trails Watt (71.0), Highsmith (72.9) and Herbig (81.0) in their rookie seasons.
Steelers OLBs Rankings
Steelers OLB PFF Stable Metrics Rankings

Pass Rush Grade
- Nick Herbig - 93rd
- J. Watt - 82nd (tie)
- Alex Highsmith - 82nd (tie)
- Jack Sawyer - 36th
Pass Rush Grade on True Pass Rushes
- Nick Herbig - 91st
- J. Watt - 77th
- Alex Highsmith - 59th
- Jack Sawyer -18th
Pass Rush Grade Without Play Action
- Nick Herbig - 95th
- J. Watt - 68th
- Alex Highsmith - 65th
- Jack Sawyer - 10th
Pass Rush Win Percentage
- Nick Herbig - 91st
- Alex Highsmith - 79th
- J. Watt - 60th
- Jack Sawyer - 36th
Run Defense Grade
- Alex Highsmith - 92nd
- Nick Herbig - 86th
- J. Watt - 68th
- Jack Sawyer - 49th
Run Stop Percentage
- Alex Highsmith - 80th
- Jack Sawyer - 78th
- J. Watt - 37th
- Nick Herbig - 33rd
Steelers OLBs Rankings
Steelers Pass Rush Standard Remains the NFL Benchmark

Few organizations have built a defensive identity around outside linebackers like the Pittsburgh Steelers. From Jack Lambert giving way to the Blitzburgh era, to Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Joey Porter, James Harrison, and now T.J. Watt, the Steelers have consistently developed edge defenders capable of changing games with one snap.

PFF's Stable Metrics attempt to remove the noise from sacks and splash plays by focusing on predictive categories that translate from season to season. Rather than simply counting sacks, these metrics evaluate how consistently an edge defender wins as a pass rusher while also measuring run defense and finishing ability.

Pittsburgh's current room remains among the league's deepest. Watt continues to perform at an elite level, Nick Herbig is rapidly emerging as one of the NFL's most efficient young pass rushers, Alex Highsmith remains one of football's most complete edge defenders, while Jack Sawyer provides another intriguing developmental piece.

Steelers Edge PFF Defensive Grades
- 87.3 Nick Herbig | 7 of 119
- 82.2 Alex Highsmith | 12 of 119
- 74.2 T.J. Watt | 31 of 119
- 58 Jack Sawyer | 105 of 119
Slide to continue to PFF Stable Metics

Jul 13 9:00 PM

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PHX

+11.5

+470

O 169.5

MIN

-11.5

-699

U 169.5

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