PFF names third-year defender most underrated Steeler ahead of 2025 season
T.J. Watt must be proud — as his protege and fellow Wisconsin Badger Nick Herbig was just named the most underrated Steeler by Pro Football Focus.
PFF highlighted that while Herbig gets far less opportunity to rush the passer than Watt, he makes the most of what he's given — as evident in Week 8 last season against the Chargers, when Herbig recorded two sacks and a forced fumble on just eight pass-rush snaps.
Here is how Pro Football Focus' Jonathon Macri defended Herbig's selection as the most underrated Steelers player ahead of the 2025 season:
"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."
At best, Herbig will serve as the Steelers' saving grace if they fail to extend Watt beyond the 2025 season — and at worst, he's one of the league's best backup edge defenders.
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