The Pittsburgh Steelers raised eyebrows during the 2023 NFL Draft when they picked Wisconsin EDGE Nick Herbig in the fourth round and kept him at outside linebacker.
That choice has proven to be a smart one. Though Herbig doesn’t grab headlines like T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith because of his limited playing time, his performance when given the chance speaks volumes.
Pro Football Focus analyst Jonathon Macri recently named Herbig as the most underrated player on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.
The most underrated player for every team in the AFC North 👀 pic.twitter.com/K1Uq9bN7V4
— PFF (@PFF) May 17, 2025
“Since 2022, Herbig owns a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks seventh among all edge defenders with at least 250 pass-rush snaps. With Watt and Highsmith occasionally missing time due to injury, having a high-end pass rusher like Herbig waiting in the wings is a very underrated and valuable option that not many teams have the luxury of,” Macri wrote in his analysis.
Herbig wasted no time showing his potential on the field. As a rookie backing up Watt and Highsmith, he recorded 27 tackles, three sacks, and forced two fumbles.
His sophomore season in 2024 was even more impressive, as he racked up 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles across 13 games, including five starts.
Even while dealing with injuries that sidelined him for parts of the season, Herbig consistently made his presence felt whenever he played.
He has effectively reduced the workload for Watt and Highsmith while still generating pressure and making big plays as the third edge option.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebacker room looks even stronger now with the addition of Ohio State standout Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
This group might soon be recognized as one of the most formidable linebacker units in the NFL.
Quietly developing behind established stars, Herbig represents the depth that championship-caliber teams need.
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