While the Dallas Cowboys made sweeping changes to their defensive personnel this offseason, fans keep circling back to two positions that could use more firepower: edge rusher and linebacker.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys didn't have the resources (young defensive talent) to pursue Myles Garrett, and cold water has been tossed on the Josh Sweat trade speculation, with Ian Rapoport reporting that the Arizona Cardinals' standout won't be traded.
As it turns out, bad luck does not come in threes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invested a ton of money into ascending edge Nick Herbig, signing him to a blockbuster four-year, $100 million pact.
Herbig is one of the NFL's best-kept secrets and is primed to explode in a larger role, but his extension leaves the Steelers with three expensive pass rushers in Herbig, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith. That's exactly why the Cowboys should see if Highsmith is available.
The Dallas Cowboys should consider a Alex Highsmith trade after Nick Herbig's extension
Herbig would have been an ideal target for Dallas in 2027 free agency or at this year's trade deadline, if the Steelers didn't pay up. He's only 24 years old and is sneakily one of the game's prolific pass rushers, finishing 10th among edges last season with a 16.9 percent pass-rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus premium stats ($).
Highsmith was always the more realistic target, and Pittsburgh already had the most expensive DE room in the league before Herbig got paid.
Combined, Watt and Highsmith will count $62 million against the salary cap next season. Now, the Steelers owe Herbig $40 million guaranteed and $25 million per year. Being that Watt is the face of the franchise, Highsmith is more likely to be the odd man out, assuming the Steelers don't plan on paying all three at the same time.
Highsmith may not have the name value of a Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, but he's a really impactful player who fits the outside linebacker mold like a glove.
Now, about that impact.
Even with Watt and Herbig causing havoc off the edge, Highsmith accumulated 92 pressures, 15.5 sacks, and a radiant 16.9 percent pass-rush win rate over the last two seasons, per PFF.
Furthermore, Highsmith's 32 run stops in 2025 ranked 11th among edge defenders despite missing four games, underlining his impact against the run. Dating back to 2023, he's tallied an 80.5 run-defense grade. He's as consistent a two-way edge as there is.
With Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and 2026 first-round pick Malachi Lawrence leading the pass rush, Dallas doesn't need a force multiplier. It just needs a steady, reliable presence to take some of the burden off a group that is counting a lot on a rookie and a second-year player who's coming off labrum surgery.
Highsmith checks all of those boxes.
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