The Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to keep outside linebacker Bud Dupree for 2020 on the franchise tag. But the reality is he’s likely a one-year rental before he heads off to sign a massive free-agent contract somewhere else in 2021. After releasing Anthony Chickillo, it was no stretch to think the Steelers would use a top pick on a player to bolster depth at edge rusher.
That pick turned out to be Charlotte edge Alex Highsmith at the end of the third round.
There’s a competition to replace Bud Dupree
If we assume Dupree is gone after this season, his successor comes down to a battle between Highsmith and Ola Adeniyi as of right now. Adeniyi is a former UDFA who has looked solid in preseason but couldn’t see consistent reps behind Dupree and Watt last season. Highsmith is a better player right now that Adeniyi so he should push him from day one.