Steelers' Alex Highsmith 2023 NFL odds, props: Pittsburgh linebacker gets big new extension, set under 10 sacks after breakout 14.5-sack 2022 season

One of the top potential defensive free agents for next winter was to be Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, a third-round steal in the 2020 draft out of Charlotte. Because he wasn't a first-round pick, Highsmith had no fifth-year rookie option for the Steelers to pick up. Instead, they signed the 25-year-old to a massive extension on Wednesday. At DraftKings, Highsmith is set at Over/Under 9.75 sacks for 2023, which would be a disappointing number. The Under is a -130 favorite.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Highsmith has played in 49 of a possible 50 regular-season games with 38 starts. He totaled eight sacks and one forced fumble in his first two seasons combined but blew up with 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles (T1 in NFL) last year. Those were both team bests, and he shares the field with a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year in T.J. Watt and one of the league's best safeties in Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The sacks were tied for sixth-most in the NFL in 2022 and the fifth-most in Steelers history. In addition, Highsmith totaled 63 tackles (38 of them solo), 20 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss and one pass defensed.

"It was a good year, but I'm far from satisfied," said Highsmith in the offseason. "I never get complacent or comfortable, but I am grateful for a better year and being injury free for a year. I never want to get complacent, but I always want to be grateful."

Highsmith ranks first in the league in strip sacks (five), first in forced fumbles (six) and is tied for second in sacks (17.5) in his last 20 games, dating back to Week 16 of the 2021 season. He has this year left on his rookie deal, so is now signed through 2027.

DK is using sacks in quarter increments instead of half increments to avoid a push. Highsmith is +4000 to lead the league in sacks, which Watt did with a record-tying 22.5 in 2021 before being limited to 5.5 sacks in 10 games last year.

That any NFL player breaks the sack record this season is +500 with No at -800. Last year's leader was San Francisco's Nick Bosa with 18.5. Bosa is the +550 favorite to lead in 2023 with Watt at +850. If Watt stays healthy, that should only open up more sack opportunities on the other side for Highsmith. 

Pittsburgh is a 3-point home dog against Bosa's 49ers in Week 1.

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