Whereas there are a few questions throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, the sting place isn’t one among them. With T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith all in that position, it’s one of many stronger edge teams within the league. It solely obtained extra expertise through the draft, when the Steelers chosen Jack Sawyer within the fourth spherical.
Talking to the media in Latrobe on Wednesday, Highsmith was requested about Sawyer and whether or not he thinks the rookie can contribute instantly.
“Yeah, completely,” Highsmith mentioned. “It’s been cool attending to know him, practice with him some over the break as nicely. I feel, , he’s a extremely mature man, coming in as a rookie, and he’s clearly had lots of nice expertise, profitable a Nationwide Championship at Ohio State. So I’m simply excited for what he brings to our room and our protection. I feel he’s gonna be a terrific participant for us.”
Sawyer was simply a part of an effort to beef up a defensive position that actually struggled over the course of the 2024 season. It was particularly unhealthy in the direction of the top of the yr. All issues thought of, he’s in a great place as a rookie. He doesn’t have excessive expectations because of the expertise forward of him in Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig. All three of these gamers are additionally wonderful position fashions for Sawyer to be taught from heading into his rookie season.
There’s proof to imagine that it’s going to work for Jack Sawyer. The Steelers drafted Herbig within the fourth spherical again in 2023, the identical spherical Sawyer was chosen this yr. Then, the Steelers already had two confirmed abilities on the sting, in Watt and Highsmith. Herbig adopted every round in coaching camp his rookie yr, studying as a lot as he might from each. Regardless of enjoying simply 17-percent of the entire defensive snaps in 2023, Herbig was in a position to notch three sacks and compelled two fumbles. In 2024, Herbig’s snap share elevated to 50 p.c, whereas he upped his sack complete to five.5 and compelled 4 fumbles.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see Sawyer take the same course. However he additionally gained’t get a ton of probabilities at first, like Herbig. Watt and Highsmith might be on the sector as a lot as they’d like. Herbig is the following man in line behind them. Sawyer is geared to cease the run, so it will likely be fascinating to see how his snaps are utilized. Nevertheless, not getting a ton of seems to be in his rookie yr wouldn’t be the worst factor on the earth for Sawyer.
He’s not a participant the Steelers must make a big impact this yr. All he must do is be taught from the expertise in entrance of him, and his time will ultimately come. He’s a participant the Steelers worth, and he’ll get his likelihood going ahead. Whereas he shouldn’t be anticipated to be a difference-maker simply but, it’s clear Jack Sawyer is already incomes the respect of his teammates.
