Participant: ILB Mark Robinson
Inventory Worth: Down
Reasoning: Mark Robinson isn’t unfamiliar with competitors, however he faces his fiercest but for the reason that Steelers first drafted him. Whereas the within linebacker room is loaded usually, in addition they added direct particular groups competitors. Within the seventh spherical, they drafted Carson Bruener, who’s tailored for particular groups. The son of former Steelers tight finish and present Steelers scout Mark Bruener, it’s in his DNA.
Mark Robinson has already performed three years within the NFL, which is spectacular sufficient as it’s. A seventh-round choose barely versed in his place as a former operating again, he has carved out a distinct segment. Over the previous three years, he has turned himself into a high quality special-teams participant.
However heading into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract, there simply will not be room for Robinson. The Steelers have already got Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, and Cole Holcomb at inside linebacker. Holcomb is the one one they could even think about releasing, and I don’t see that.
Then there’s Carson Bruener, a seventh-round choose for a staff all of a sudden obsessive about holding its draft picks. Bruener is now a second-generation Steelers, and his dad is within the scouting division. How is Mark Robinson presupposed to compete with that?
Nicely, the identical manner he has competed for the reason that Steelers first drafted him: hitting something in entrance of him. All he can do is play his manner right into a roster spot, as he did again in 2023 and annually since. It’s unlikely the Steelers carry each Mark Robinson and Carson Bruener—however not unimaginable. Particularly in the event that they solely preserve 4 outdoors linebackers, which is a chance.
Particular groups is a class by itself, with a novel set of “starters”. If Mark Robinson and Carson Bruener are each guys who may give them 300-plus high quality snaps, they will discover room. But it surely gained’t be straightforward, and that is actually Robinson’s hardest problem but. Over the previous two seasons, he has pressured three fumbles. He might want to sustain that form of playmaking this offseason, I think, if he needs to hold round.
With the brand new league yr underway and the Steelers turning their roster over, it’s as soon as once more time to “take inventory”. It took some time, however we lastly noticed a few of that change the staff talked about after the season ended. Actually, the transfer to commerce for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, to not point out the accompanying contract. Oh, and so they additionally traded some man named George Pickens, which individuals discovered vital.
There may be nonetheless an extended option to go earlier than we all know what this Steelers staff goes to appear like. The mud is settled on each free company and the 2025 NFL Draft. What different strikes would possibly the staff make, maybe surprising acquisitions or departures? In the event that they traded for one participant, they might actually commerce for an additional, or commerce one away. It is a Steelers staff ravenous for postseason success, however how determined are they for a playoff win in 2025?
