49ers should call Steelers about trade for $68 million pass rusher

We've written before about Herbig as a possible 49ers trade target, but Robinson also reported Highsmith is viewed as the more available player. That's in part because he'll be 29 when the 2026 season starts. It's also in part because of his contract status. The acquiring team will likely need to extend him at a deal above his current $17 million average annual value. That contract expires after the 2027 season.

Despite the need to pay Highsmith, the 49ers should be on the phone with Pittsburgh about acquiring their No. 2 pass rusher. Highsmith has 40 sacks over the last four years and is consistently effective getting after the quarterback with a pressure rate that regularly hovers between 13 and 16 percent.

His raise isn't liable to land atop the market which should make it more palatable for the 49ers while also giving them a proven NFL pass rusher to line up across from Nick Bosa. Highsmith would also allow the 49ers pass rush to maintain some semblance of effectiveness if Bosa is unavailable, which is notable with Bosa coming off an ACL tear.

It's unclear what it would cost for San Francisco to acquire the soon-to-be 29-year-old. The 49ers have four fourth-round picks to play with in this year's draft. They could include one of those and a Day 2 pick in 2027 to try and get it done. Depending on how they feel about this year's class they might be willing to go as high as a second-round choice if they're able to recoup some draft capital in another deal.

Adding Highsmith would make a lot of sense for San Francisco, and they should be among the teams on the phone with the Steelers trying to work out a trade.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL trade rumors: Steelers may deal Alex Highsmith, 49ers should call