When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State pass rusher Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it felt like a bit of a luxury rather than a need, particularly at the outside linebacker position where the Steelers were truly loaded with three good ones in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.
Playing time was expected to be scarce for the rookie, but injuries to Highsmith and Herbig pushed Sawyer onto the field earlier than anticipated. He’s responded in a big way, providing the Steelers with some serviceable reps defensively under coordinator Teryl Austin.