2020 NFL Draft: Alex Highsmith is Flying Under the Radar

Charlotte edge rusher Alex Highsmith is one of the most intriguing sleepers in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he’s off to a strong start this season.

The 49ers’ season isn’t off to the hottest start, but Highsmith continues to make a name for himself. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound senior has registered six sacks through the first five games of the season.

His size doesn’t jump off the page and he’ll need to bulk up a bit at the next level, but Highsmith possesses the athletic traits to potentially make a difference off of the edge.

Highsmith flies off the ball and is almost always the first player off of the snap. He plays with low pad level and active hands and has an intriguing blend of speed and power, although he’s still putting his all together.

He’s reliant on speed for the most part and, when Highsmith wins with speed on the outside, he can dip the shoulder, bend the edge and finish when he gets home. He needs to continue to refine his pass rush tool bag but he’s flashed an effective spin move.

Highsmith has flashed the ability to extend and get underneath his opponent with his power rush, and he won with it a few times against Clemson last week.

He plays with both his hand up and in the dirt and he’s flashed the fluidity to survive in coverage when asked on zone blitzes.

He’s displayed talent as a pass rusher, but Highsmith will take time to develop as a run defender.

Highsmith is disruptive and utilizes his explosiveness to penetrate gaps as a run defender, but he’s still lacking a power element at the point-of-attack. He can stack-and-shed and close with quickness, but he’ll need to prove he can do so vs. NFL-caliber talent.

There are times where Highsmith’s quickness works against him, getting him a little too far up-field and away from the ball, but he always makes an effort to get back to the play.

He takes good angles in pursuit and consistently provides backside support.

Highsmith has played the tougher part of his schedule for the season, but he’s going to rise on NFL Draft boards as we get closer to Draft day. He’s raw but he has the potential to develop into quality player, whether it’s as a starter or situational pass rusher.

Highsmith will likely warrant a Senior Bowl invite and he’ll be a prospect to watch during practice week.