Steelers A to Z: If Mark Robinson is to be a viable NFL linebacker, he better show it soon

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

ILB MARK ROBINSON

Experience/age: 3^rd season, turns 25 during training camp

Contract status: $1.01 million cap hit in 2024, signed through 2025

The past: Robinson was a running back at a pair of middling FCS programs before transferring to Ole Miss for his final college season. A fateful switch to defense resulted in a high-volume tackles season in the SEC that ultimately led to a pro career. With the 225^th overall pick in 2022, the Steelers figured a seventh rounder was worth a flier on a late bloomer-type who seemed to like contact and was drawn to the ball. After it seemed as if his rookie season would be a virtual “redshirt” to continue to grow into playing linebacker — particularly at the NFL level — by the end of that season Roberts was a starter for the final two games. He played 50% of the defensive snaps during a Jan. 1, 2023, road win at the rival Baltimore Ravens.

But whatever momentum Robinson was building to be a significant part of the defense all dissipated throughout last year. Come March, the Steelers signed not one but two veteran starting-caliber free agents in Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb. Would that make Roberts a No. 3 ILB? Nope. Not when Kwon Alexander signed in August.

OK, what about when first Holcomb and then Alexander were lost for the season via significant respective injuries in November? While Robinson’s playing time on defense increased, it still played a back seat to in-season signees such as Mykal Walker and Myles Jack. Heck, the Steelers even signed an out-of-retirement to start ahead of Robinson.

Mark Robinson said he has been blessed to have so many veterans at his position to look up to. That can be true, but it also is a tell-tale sign in how little faith Steelers management has shown in his ability to handle a full-time role on defense.https://t.co/NZbypkpTKA

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) June 1, 2024

2024 outlook: Through it all, at least, Robinson became one of the Steelers’ most trusted special teamers. Part of the “core four” special teams most of the season, only three Steelers played more specialty snaps in 2023. Robinson did play 170 defensive snaps over the final nine games (including playoffs) of the season. He made two starts and had a sack in the regular-season finale victory that got the Steelers into the playoffs.

But was it a signal Robinson will have a more permanent role defensively? For the second consecutive offseason, the Steelers added multiple starting-caliber players to the inside linebackers corps — $41 million free agent Patrick Queen and third-round pick Payton Wilson. Roberts returns, and Holcomb was the unit’s best player in 2023 before being lost to a season-ending knee injury in November. If Holcomb is healthy enough to play, Robinson drops to no better than fifth on the ILB depth chart. That suggests that he had better be a reliable special teamer during camp and the preseason to assure himself a roster spot. If Robinson can’t show he deserves a significant role on defense this year, he probably never will.