Pittsburgh Steelers veteran outside linebacker Alex Highsmith continues to improve each season, becoming a well-rounded pass rusher with speed and power. He’s also quietly continued to be a good run defender.
But that doesn’t mean he wins every individual matchup each week. Even though he’s a high-end pass rusher, Highsmith still struggles against some left tackles.
Appearing on the latest episode of the Highway 49 Podcast to discuss his alma mater, the Charlotte 49ers and his football career to date, Highsmith was asked for some of his toughest matchups at left tackle.
One player continues to give Highsmith fits, while he named a few others who were a bit surprising.
“Dion’s [Dawkins] definitely one of those guys. He’s been in league for a while. He’s doing it at a high level, got a lot of respect for mainly left tackles, that’s who I play against,” Highsmith said of his toughest matchups, according to video via the show’s YouTube page. “Garrett Bolles, had some good matchups against him. Jordan Mailata from the Eagles, and then Trent Williams, played him when he was with the Niners in 2023, our opening game.
“So I’d say probably those few guys right there are probably guys who I’ve gone against that I think are some of the more tougher ones.”
Highsmith has had his struggles with Buffalo’s Dion Dawkins in the past. Back in 2024, Highsmith had just two pressures in the matchup with Dawkins. Last season, Highsmith didn’t get to match up against Dawkins due to the Bills’ star left tackle missing with an injury, but Highsmith still had just two pressures on a night in which the Steelers couldn’t stop the run.
Back in 2023 during the season-opening matchup against Trent Williams and San Francisco, Highsmith was held in check during that blowout loss to the 49ers.
While Highsmith struggled in those two matchups, he did have some success against both Denver’s Bolles and Mailata during the 2024 season.
Against the Broncos and Bolles in Week 2 on the road, Highsmith had four pressures and a sack, though the sack wasn’t charged to Mailata.
All four left tackles play different styles, but they have one thing in common: They’re big bodies with long reaches. Of course, that’s the general build for left tackles at this point, but all four are great athletes for their size, yet have serious power to their games. That combination makes them great all-around players able to handle anything pass rushers throw at them.
Highsmith isn’t alone naming those guys as his toughest matchups. That’s a nice hat-tip to those guys. He’ll get to see guys like Bolles and Mailata again this season, too, with the Steelers traveling to Philadelphia in Week 11 before hosting the Broncos in Week 12.