What happened: Bill Barnwell's trade value rankings included three former Wisconsin Badgers worth at least a first-round pick: Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, edge rusher Nick Herbig, and Watt. Herbig posted career highs with 7.5 sacks and a team-high 17.1 percent pass-rush win rate before landing his extension, while Watt's pass-rush win rate dropped to 12.4 percent on a $40 million annual salary.

Why it matters: Herbig was PFF's highest-graded Steelers defender in 2025 and just got paid at a fraction of Watt's cap number, which makes him the better value building block today. Watt's production has slid for two straight seasons even as his price tag stayed at the top of the market, and durability plus efficiency now favor the younger Badger.