Steelers' Nick Herbig 'Looks Like A Steal' After Week 2 Preseason Performance

Herbig has not only caught the attention of the coaches, but he has started being called the potential steal of the draft by some media outlets. In his two games, Herbig has collected 3 sacks and 5 defensive stops, which is impressive even for preseason games given the fact he isn't playing full games as several players are rotating in. 

Pro Football Focus recognized Herbig as a player whose stock is rising through Week 2 of the preseason, and highlighting him along side Will Anderson Jr., who was selected 129 picks before Herbig. 

Below is the first half of the blurb about Herbig, where they mentioned he likely has the play of the week, if not the entire preseason. 

"Herbig had perhaps the highlight of the weekend with a perfectly executed cross-chop move followed by an impressive display of bend to get around the corner and force Bills backup quarterback Matt Barkley to fumble the ball. On Herbig’s first snap of the night, he beat Bills starting left tackle Dion Dawkins around the outside and forced an incompletion from Josh Allen, coming fairly close to causing a fumble, as well."

Throughout both games, Herbig has impressed with his pass rush repertoire that seems to be much more refined than the moves most rookies come into the league with. Despite being only 21 years old and leaving college early, Herbig started over 30 games during his time in college at Wisconsin, which is likely why his moves are so refined. 

Learning from players like Watt and Highsmith doesn't hurt either. 

Being drafted in the fourth round in this past April's draft, there weren't high expectations for Herbig to contribute as a rookie. Especially since a month after Herbig was selected, the Steelers felt the need to add a veteran pass rusher in Markus Golden. 

The Combination Of Herbig And Golden Gives The Steelers Something They've Been Missing

Golden himself is having a fine offseason with the team and put together a solid showing in the preseason as well. So while Herbig is doing everything he can to prove he deserves a role, he is still not guaranteed a significant role. 

Regardless if Herbig has a sizeable role to start the season or not, his high level of play he has displayed so far provides the Steelers with something they have been lacking at his position for some time now: Depth. 

It was evident last season how poor the team's depth at outside linebacker was after Watt went down with an injury early in the season. Everyone believed that when the team traded for Malik Reed from the Denver Broncos shortly before the start of the 2022 season, that the Steelers would have a solid rotation on the edge and a solid player to step in if an injury were to arise. 

With that unfortunately not playing out as everyone hoped (Reed finished the year with one lone sack and 25 tackles, both career lows), the Steelers have to be glad with Herbig proving his worth so early. With both Watt and Highsmith being signed to big money deals, the team can't afford to invest significantly in a rotational piece/backup for them. Having Herbig on a rookie deal, a fourth round draft pick rookie deal nevertheless, makes him being that rotational piece the best of both worlds. 

Is Herbig already proving to be the steal of the 2023 NFL Draft? Can he actually make a significant impact in year 1?