Entering his third season in the NFL and second season overall as a starter, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was aiming for double-digit sacks opposite reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.
Despite Watt missing a number of games, putting more attention on Highsmith, the young pass rusher had a breakout season, surpassing his preseason goal of 10.0 sacks, finishing his third season with a career-high 14.5 sacks for the black and gold.
Those numbers should have put him in line for an AFC Pro Bowl bid, but Highsmith was passed over multiple times for the honor, including by his own teammate in Watt.