6 sleepers you should be closely watching at Steelers OTAs

Can Mark Robinson start for the Steelers?

Despite overhauling the linebacker room (again) this offseason, the Steelers still find themselves relatively shallow at the position. The three core starters from last season are all gone, and Pittsburgh is banking on new addition Cole Holcomb to be the guy to save this group going forward.

Also added was Elandon Roberts, who can be a contributor on early downs given his ability to play the run. That said, I really want to see Mark Robinson take on that role given his youth and the talent he flashed at times as a rookie.

Robinson was drafted in the seventh round last year after converting from running back to linebacker. He had a really strong camp, and while it took him a while to see the field, he eventually found a role on the defense late in the season. He was far from perfect, but he showed some ability as a run defender.

Holcomb figures to be the primary starter this season, but the team will need a running mate for at least base defense and run-downs. While Roberts can handle that role, I’m rooting for Robinson to lock that job down. He proved to be a better fit than I thought he would as a rookie, and I am excited to see his growth this offseason.