The San Francisco 49ers lost Bryce Huff to retirement this offseason after Huff played a career high in snaps last season, while generating twice as many pressures as any other 49ers defender last season. Huff also had double the pressures on third down.
As it stands, the Niners are heading into draft weekend counting on Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams returning from torn ACLs, Osa Odighizuwa, and a cast of role players behind them. Finding an impact starter at pick No. 27 won’t be easy.
However, after
extending Trent Williams, the 49ers still have plenty of cap space (roughly $40 million) to continue upgrading their roster. Instead of relying on a rookie, a veteran pass rusher might serve this team better.
Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is reportedly staying put in New York after trading Dexter Lawrence this offseason. There’s another team on the East Coast that could part ways with a productive pass rusher during draft weekend, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports:
Highsmith’s name, along with fellow edge Nick Herbig, is definitely floating around front offices as the draft approaches, although it seems that any trade would be a one-but-not-both scenario, with Highsmith being the likelier candidate to get moved. Highsmith turns 29 in August and still has two years remaining for a total scheduled base salary of $30 million ($14.5 in 2026 and $15.5 in 2027). With a strong year in 2026, it’s expected he’ll try to get back to the negotiating table for an extension that resets his salary and gets him another two years of guaranteed money. But with Herbig waiting in the wings and having been very productive while rotating with Highsmith and T.J. Watt, the Steelers are expected to take some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings. As one high-level personnel executive said, “I think they will trade one of them [between Highsmith and Herbig].”
Herbig is a name we highlighted as somebody who could use a change of scenery. He turns 25 next November, while Highsmith will be 29 in August. Highsmith has zero guarantees remaining on his contract, which expires after the 2027 season.
Highsmith stepped up in a big way for the Steelers last season when he was out in Weeks 15, 16, and 17. Highsmith led the Steelers with 14 pressures during that three-game stretch. It was eight more than any of his teammates and the 7th-most in the NFL during that span. For the season, Highsmith finished 16th in the NFL in quick pressures (pressures that occur under 2.5 seconds). He had 21 on 310 pass rushes. For reference, Huff had 19 on 345 pass rushes, while Herbig had 19 on 328. Highsmith’s get-off time was right around the top-10 range, too.
The 49ers already took advantage of a surplus at defensive tackle in Dallas this offseason when they traded for Odighizuwa. Pittsburgh isn’t short on picks in this draft. They have 12, including five in the top 99. If you’re John Lynch, you see if you can package your fourth-rounders to get Highsmith, before eventually caving and giving up your second-rounder. If that’s too rich, you simply stand pat and review your options when you’re on the clock.
Those options won’t be as NFL-ready as Highsmith has proven to be. Highsmith rushing alongside Bosa, Williams, and Odighizuwa would give the Niners a 2022-level pass rush.
