Steelers Allen
Akin to Layne, Marcus Allen is also a player known mostly for his special team’s ability. While he has had some opportunities on defense, he was most noted for his up-back role on punt coverages. The former fifth-round pick needed to maintain that role in order to make himself worth the roster spot.
While it is still early in camp, it appears as though Allen may be used in different areas on coverage units. If he isn’t being used in that same role, suddenly he is a very replaceable player. Unfortunately for him, he is playing at a very crowded off-ball linebacker position. Unless he flashes more on either special teams or defense, he may quickly find himself off the roster.
Mark Robinson has been all over the field so far, and the seventh-round rookie has shown some positive traits as a defender. Add in the rest of the depth chart fighting for one to two spots and Allen suddenly is on the outside looking in. His special team’s role was the reason he was being kept around. Now, he doesn’t have that role which has put his roster spot in question.