Editor’snote: Leading up to a unique Pittsburgh Steelers training camp staged at Heinz Field this year, the Tribune-Review will be running through the team’s 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2020 season. The breakdown will go through the roster, in mostly alphabetical order, two per day, between June 9 and July 23, a day originally planned to be reporting day for players to camp. (Contract data courtesy spotrac.com)

OLB ALEX HIGHSMITH

Experience: Rookie

Contract status: Has yet to sign standard four-year entry contract

2020 outlook: The Steelers took Highsmith with their third-round pick in hopes he would become their next great edge rusher. But even if that does happen, it probably won’t be until at least 2021 because T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree are cemented as quality starters at outside linebacker. The Steelers have shown a tendency to rotate snaps at that position, though, and would be glad to if their rookie showed he was ready to contribute and be productive right away.

Bottom line: Highsmith immediately slots into a tier with Ola Adeniyi and Tuzar Skipper as those jockeying to be the top two backups to Watt and Dupree. The true significance over who emerges in that spot won’t be felt until 2021, when Dupree is expected to be gone after playing out his franchise-tag season this fall. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Highsmith had 14 sacks at Charlotte last season, and the Steelers believe he is a “late bloomer” who could develop into a quality NFL edge rusher.

After another solid season, #Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton finds himself in a spot where he could land a multiyear extension.https://t.co/nVdaWr27N7

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 7, 2020

CB MIKE HILTON

Experience: Fourth season

Contract status: $3.259 million cap hit in 2020, will be unrestricted free agent after

2020 outlook: More than four years after entering the league and almost three years since he became a regular on the Steelers defense, Hilton finally is making more than the league minimum. The undrafted, diminutive nickel back has established himself as a quality NFL contributor at that position — one who has become a de facto starter as the game evolved (Hilton has played almost 60% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps since 2017). Assuming he can fend off Cameron Sutton and others and hold onto his job in 2020, Hilton will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2021 (barring an extension with the Steelers beforehand).

Bottom line: Hilton is popular among his teammates and coaches, and he’s one of the better tacklers in the league among defensive backs. He’s not quite elite level in the slot, but he was a significant contributor to one of the NFL’s best defenses last season. Hilton wants a new contract, and even aside from the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic it seemed unlikely the Steelers were going to give it to him in 2020. If he performs this season, though, he’ll get paid in 2021 — here or somewhere else.

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