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Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a Dallas Cowboys trade target.
Whatever you make of the Dallas Cowboys offseason to this point, it has become clear that the major defensive overhaul that was promised is likely to be more system-based than personnel-based. That’s not necessarily a bad thing–defensive coordinator Christian Parker could be a mastermind who puts his players in a situation to make his new multiple, 3-4 defense work. But the idea that this team would, as team owner Jerry Jones said last month, be willing to “bust the budget” to fix a league-worst defense has been shown to be a predictable bit of bloviation.
But, though the free-agent field has pretty well dried up, there is still an opportunity for Jones to make good on his words. The Cowboys can make changes and take on new salary through trades, and they’ll have teams perhaps looking to unload pieces as next month’s NFL draft approaches.
While linebacker is still a major hole on this team, there’s also a feeling that the Cowboys need more than just the addition of Rashan Gary at edge rusher. And that’s where Steelers star Alex Highsmith could come in.
Cowboys Still in Need of Defensive Help
Despite being frequently mentioned as a candidate for a trade with the Vikings for pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, the Cowboys could probably do better if they’d be willing to take a swing at prying Highsmith from Pittsburgh.
That’s the essence of the pitch from “Locked on Cowboys” analyst Marcus Mosher, who points out that Highsmith is, indeed, the better player and perhaps a better fit for this defense, pointing out that the Steelers may be overloaded on the edge with Nick Herbig and the newly re-signed TJ Watt. That could make Highsmith, who has had some health issues but managed 9.5 sacks in 13 games last season.
‘Alex Highsmith Is an Awesome Player’
Said Mosher on the latest “Locked on Cowboys,” episode: “Alex Highsmith is an awesome player. Nick Herbig is the more explosive player and he’s the more flashy playmaker. He’s only 24 and that’s why he has been a guy we have highlighted for a while but he wants to start, he wants an opportunity to make more money. Whereas Alex Highsmith, who turns 29 this summer, he is older. Highsmith has no guaranteed money left on his contract, and his base salaries are $14 million and $15 million. He is woefully underpaid for how productive he is. Wouldn’t be surprised if he wants a new deal as well.
“And I think for the Cowboys, Highsmith would be an awesome fit because not only is he used to playing in space, which is what he does in Pittsburgh but he is also an unbelievable run defender and would be instantly the best pass-rusher on the Cowboys.”
Cowboys Could Redo Alex Highsmith Contract
The question for the Cowboys is just how available the Steelers would make Highsmith, who was rated the No. 12 overall edge defender by Pro Football Focus last season, and the No. 4 edge when it comes to playing against the run.
He dealt with an ankle issue last season, and it was ankle and groin issues that limited him to 11 games in 2024. Highsmith will be 29 this summer, and is in the third year of a four-year, $68 million contract that is not guaranteed–as Mosher mentioned, he is likely asking for a new contract.
The Cowboys got a third-round pick in the trade with the 49ers for Osa Odighizuwa, and could flip it for more edge help. It’s likely that the Cowboys would need to give the Steelers more than just a third-rounder for Highsmith, though, and could possibly add second-rounders by trading down with their No. 20 overall pick, and perhaps include one of those assets for Highsmith.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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