PFF Ranks Steelers EDGE Room Among NFL’s Best

Pro Football Focus has released its list of the top EDGE rushers heading into the 2025 season, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting some serious recognition. While Myles Garrett of the Browns and Micah Parsons of the Cowboys took the top two spots, it’s the Steelers’ depth that stands out. They are one of only two teams with three players ranked in the top 32, the other being the Miami Dolphins.

Leading the charge for Pittsburgh, no surprise here, is T.J. Watt, who landed at No. 3 overall. Watt continues to be the best player on the Steelers’ defense and one of the most complete players in the league. In 2024, he dominated once again, posting a 90.1 pass-rush grade and earning PFF’s Run Defender of the Year award. That means he wasn’t just getting to the quarterback, he was also shutting down the run game.

“Watt is best known for his pass-rushing prowess, which was on full display once again in 2024. His 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade marked the fifth time in six seasons he earned a grade of 90.0 or higher. He also took home PFF Run Defender of the Year honors, backed by a 1.63-yard average depth of tackle and a 3.2 percent negatively graded play rate, the lowest among all box defenders in the NFL.”
Behind Watt is Alex Highsmith at No. 13. Highsmith might not get as much national attention, but Steelers fans know how important he is. Even with an ankle injury last season, he still earned an elite 89.0 overall grade, ranking eighth among 119 qualifying edge defenders. He has now posted back-to-back seasons near the top of the position, which is impressive for a player who entered the league as a third-round pick.

“The Steelers fielded the NFL’s best defensive line in 2024, and Alex Highsmith was a major factor. The fifth-year pro continued his ascent as one of the league’s top edge defenders, earning an 89.0 PFF grade, eighth among 119 qualifying players, despite missing time with an ankle injury.”
Then there’s the rising star, Nick Herbig, who rounds out the Steelers’ trio at No. 32. Herbig played limited snaps in his second year, but when he was on the field, he made a real impact as a pass-rush specialist. He earned a 91.5 pass-rush grade, which ranked fourth-best among all EDGE rushers. He will need to improve against the run to climb higher, but his upside is clear.

“No player embodied the ‘pass-rushing specialist’ role better than Herbig in 2024. The second-year pro was elite in limited snaps, earning a 91.5 PFF pass-rush grade, fourth among 109 qualifying edge defenders. However, he struggled against the run, grading out at 48.2, which ranked 101st, and will need to improve in that area to move up this list next season.”
Even though Steelers fans are known for being skeptical of PFF’s grading system, and sometimes for good reason, it’s hard to argue with this one. This list confirms what some fans have been saying for years, while others remain in denial: the Steelers have one of, if not the best, OLB/EDGE rooms in the NFL. Their defense is powered by the pass rush, and with Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig all ranked among the league’s best, Pittsburgh is in great shape heading into 2025.

With the additions made through the draft and free agency, this defense can take another step forward and be more dominant and consistent down the stretch. One thing’s for sure: opposing quarterbacks should have their hands full dealing with this group.