Steelers rookie grades: Kenny Pickett earns a below-average score in first season

Steelers may have something in Robinson

Initial Grade: C-

Final Grade: B

Criteria: Makes the roster

The first of the Steelers two seventh-round picks, I wasn’t very high on Mark Robinson during the draft. Undersized and a new convert to the position, I expected him to need to grow a lot and possibly spend the first season on the practice squad. He flashed in camp though and earned a roster spot once the regular season opened.

From there, it was pretty quiet, as he only saw action in four total games, the first of which not coming until week six. That said, he ended the season on a high note, starting the final two games and putting up some decent tape. He is an aggressive player that needs to hone in on the nuances of the position, but he has a lot of potential heading into his second season.

Had he played some more, Robinson easily would have cracked the “A” range of grades, but his lack of snaps hurts him. That said, he blew expectations out of the water, and heading into year two, he is the only linebacker I would deem as safe to stick around. The future is bright for Robinson, and he showed that off in his first season despite limited playing time.