2024 Steelers Breakout Candidate: Nick Herbig
For Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl, the 2023 draft has received rave reviews around the league, with most contributing in some form or fashion last season. One of those players was outside linebacker Nick Herbig.
The Steelers selected Herbig in Round 4 in ‘23 out of the University of Wisconsin. Coming out of the draft, there were concerns regarding Herbig’s arm length. However, scouts also pointed out his ability to explode off the ball as a pass rusher, and being able to stop the run effectively. Some considered the Herbig pick to be a potential steal for Pittsburgh.
It didn’t hurt Herbig that his brother, Nate, who’s an offensive lineman with the Steelers, was able to prepare him for the pro football life. The brotherly advice seemed to work for the younger Herbig, as he displayed arguably the most impressive showing of any Steelers defensive player, in both training camp and preseason.
Herbig began the 2023 season fourth on Pittsburgh’s OLB depth chart behind TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Markus Golden.
As expected, Herbig received limited defensive snaps as a rookie at 17%. Despite this, he made the most of his opportunity by recording three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Herbig was mainly used on special teams coverage, where he saw action 78% of the time.
Before reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $10 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, Bud Dupree had been in talks with the Steelers about a possible reunion. Given that Herbig is a young, rising player, and Dupree is starting to enter the downside of his career, it was best for Khan not to pursue Dupree, especially at that asking price.
Herbig definitely showed flashes of real potential during his rookie campaign last season. If given the chance to be the Steelers’ third OLB option this year, which he should, then there’s a good bet he performs even better, once he gets a more steady increase in defensive snaps. Of course, sitting under the TJ Watt learning tree is a bonus. With Watt and Highsmith both in their prime, a breakout 2024 from Herbig would give the Steelers a dominant three-headed monster at OLB.