5 rookies that the Steelers regret passing on in 2020 draft
By Andrew Falce
James Robinson
No one expected James Robinson to burst into the NFL as he has so far for the Jaguars. There are 31 other teams that are wishing they would have offered him an undrafted free agent contract or had taken a flyer on him late. The Steelers are no different, as having a player like Robinson in the backfield would have made this unit far deeper. As of now, Robertson is on pace for record-breaking undrafted rookie numbers as a running back.
The Steelers are in a common company at least, as every team passed on this player multiple times in the draft. The Jaguars were wise enough to scoop him up and start him, and he hasn’t looked back. He is the heart and soul of the Jaguars offense and will likely be a staple in the backfield for the next few years. He is doing this despite not being an incredible athlete, as his testing numbers were likely the reason he fell out of the draft.
He has a Le’Veon Bell vibe to him honestly, as he is a patient runner before hitting the hole. As well, he has good hands and has proven to be an effective receiver. Given the fact that James Conner is likely gone from the Steelers after this year, having a starter like Robertson at the ready would have been a plus. The Steelers could have ignored the position next year and focused on building elsewhere. Unfortunately, the Jaguars are now the benefactors of the rest of the league’s ignorance of him.
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While the Steelers as a whole had a solid draft class, there were quite a few late rounders that are making this team feel regret. This in no way means the team failed, or the players they drafted instead are busts, but at this point, there are quite a few rookies that would have looked great in a Steelers uniform.