Steelers' Kenny Robinson Puts On Captivating Performance, Makes Strong Case For 53-Man Roster

As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue their annual training camp this offseason, fans have been able to see new names in new places. Since the book closed on the Steelers’ 2022 season, general manager Omar Khan has been busy in tapping into the free agency pool to revitalize almost every position on the depth chart. However, the current free agency pool is much different than it was a few years ago. With additional football leagues being born into American sports, NFL scouts have new ways to evaluate and recruit players looking for their chance at one of the largest professional sports leagues in the world.

Earlier in the 2023 offseason, the Steelers signed safety and Pittsburgh native, Kenny Robinson, to a Reserve/Futures contract. Before that, he spent time in the XFL as a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020 after cutting his collegiate career at West Virginia University short after the 2019 season. Once NFL scouts were able to evaluate more film of Robinson, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. After spending most of his time on the Panthers’ practice squad, the Steelers brought him back home to compete for a roster spot on his hometown team for 2023.

Steelers’ Kenny Robinson Takes Full Advantage of His Opportunity

In the first Sunday of Steelers’ camp, a lot of veterans took some time off. As a result, that opened the door for players like Robinson who are looking to use those opportunities to their advantage. Leading into the practice session, Damontae Kazee was seen in a walking boot after spraining his ankle in the previous day’s action. With Minkah Fitzpatrick also sitting out for the day’s practice, Robinson had his chance to show what he can do against the Steelers’ offense; and he did not disappoint.

In the team’s seven-on-seven drills, Robinson snuck in front of a Mason Rudolph pass intended for Cody White in the endzone. It seemed as if Rudolph didn't even see him lurking in coverage. Robinson brings tremendous coverage skills to his skill set and made himself known early on in practice. As the action progressed, Robinson seemed to find his groove on defense. Following his first interception of the day in the endzone, Robinson dropped back into deep coverage and logged a deflected pass intended for Dan Chisena from Tanner Morgan. Then, as Rudolph trotted onto the field, Robinson intercepted an ugly deep pass to Calvin Austin III for his second interception of the day.

While it is not unheard of for a relatively unknown player to catch the spotlight in the preseason, Robinson is clearly playing the part of a potential preseason star. As we’ve seen in other parts of the depth chart, the Steelers’ starting safety duo is an open competition. Although Fitzpatrick is the clear starter at the free safety position, the strong safety spot is vacant after the departure of Terrell Edmunds earlier this offseason. As head coach Mike Tomlin shook things up in camp and gave Robinson his opportunity to shine, he did exactly that.

As we look at the current state of the Steelers’ safety room, it appears as a bit of a jumbled list of names. In addition to Fitzpatrick, Kazee, and Robinson, there is also Tre Norwood, Elijah Riley, Keanu Neal, and Miles Killebrew listed at the safety position. However, both Neal and Killebrew have seen early practice reps lined up more inside of the box with the linebackers. Further, Neal has logged more snaps as a linebacker in his most recent regular season games than as a true safety.

If we broaden the scope from the safety room to the entire secondary, the pattern continues. Specifically, the conscious search for a reliable nickel, or slot, cornerback remains a priority in Pittsburgh. So far in camp, it seems as though we’ve seen a different name assume that position in almost every drill. Riley has made early ripples in his campaigning efforts for that spot. Patrick Peterson has also thrown his hat into the ring for consideration for the inside cornerback position as well. There is clearly a lot to sort out in the coming weeks, but if Riley somehow grabs that starting inside cornerback spot, Robinson may find himself making his case for a backup role as a more traditional safety.

Tomlin has made it known his deep love affair for versatile defenders, specifically in the secondary. This leads him into operating under that consideration once cut deadlines approach on the way to the final 53-man roster. In the past few seasons, the Steelers have carried five to six names with the “safety” designation. Each of them brings their own unique skillset to the defense and is able to be a plug-and-play in different schemes and situations. We’ve seen that most recently in Marcus Allen or Killebrew as a standard dime backer, or rolling a traditional cornerback to provide extra help over the top of the defense.

If we look at the above names in the mix for 2023, similar skillsets are present. As we discussed earlier, Neal may find himself lining up in the box than as a typical safety. Killebrew is primarily a special teams specialist, while Riley, Robinson, and Norwood duke it out for the final roster spots presuming a healthy Kazee. While there are several names listed on the current roster, there is a large opening at the position to whoever wants it.

The safety position is one of the thinnest on the Steelers’ roster and this is the first time since 2019 where there isn’t an incumbent sitting in the way. The need for solid depth at the position is paramount for the Steelers in 2023. There will be plenty of other opportunities in the coming weeks for the other candidates, but Robinson presented his case in dominant fashion for a roster spot. Robinson provided a bit of a spark in an area of the depth chart that presents one of the most glaring question marks. We may have found an early leader for the Steelers’ 2023 preseason star.

Did you see what Robinson did in Sunday’s practice? Who do you think will make the final roster at the safety position?