The Steelers set out to get a veteran receiver from the start of the offseason. And, by trading for Allen Robinson last week, they've done exactly that.
It makes a lot of sense since the oldest receiver on the roster in Anthony Miller at 28 years old, and among the starters, Diontae Johnson is the oldest at 26. Young talent is great to have. But, the Steelers needed to not only add to the depth chart, but bring in someone who's done a thing or two at the NFL level.
In Robinson, the Steelers are bringing in a guy who's done plenty in the NFL. More important, Mike Tomlin is very familiar with the newest addition to the receiver room.
"He is an example of our general free agent interest," Tomlin told reporters Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "It goes all the way back to when he was at Penn State. Kevin Colbert and I spent a great deal of time with he and his family through his draft process. He was a diaper dandy. He was a 20-year-old when he came into the draft. We held him in high regard. We liked his football character. We liked his talents. We liked his upside. We followed him throughout his NFL journey, and the interest still remains."
The time spent with Robinson while he was coming out of Penn State paid off, even if it was 10 years in the making.
"It definitely doesn't seem like 10 years ago. It seems like yesterday," Robinson told reporters Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "Having communication with Coach Tomlin since then has always left a great impression on me. Now being able to be under him and playing for this staff, I'm very excited."
Outside of Johnson, there isn't another receiver on the roster with a healthy blend of experience and productivity like Robinson boasts. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015, catching 80 passes for 1,400 yards and led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions. Robinson's turned in two more 1,000-yard seasons since then, both of which with the Bears in 2019 and 2020. And, in both of those seasons, Robinson caught 98 and 102 passes, respectively.
With those accomplishments on the back of his football card, Robinson brings pedigree to the receiver room. But, after a couple of down seasons cut short by injuries, Robinson is confident that he can produce in the Steelers' offense.
"I have a lot of football left in me," Robinson said. "I thought last year for the time that I was playing in those 10 games, I felt very good about some of the things that I did. Unfortunately I didn't get some of the opportunities and things that I may have wanted. But as far as how I felt as a football player, from my route running ability, being able to get active in the red zone and doing some things on third down, I feel very good about last year."
Robinson was limited to only 10 games in 2022, undergoing season-ending surgery on a foot injury. He had 33 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns before his season came to an end.
Injuries have limited Robinson's availability in the last two seasons, and an ACL injury in the opener of the 2017 season kept him out all year. However, the Steelers were clearly comfortable with the results of the physical prior to the trade. Omar Khan said Monday that the team plans to bring him along slowly and use caution throughout the buildup to the season, just as they did when they signed Larry Ogunjobi in free agency last year.
Robinson is adamant -- especially with the conservative plan they have in place -- that his foot won't be a problem once the season arrives.
"It's good. It's coming along," Robinson said. "This is actually an injury on the opposite foot that I dealt with as a rookie. I have some familiarity with it. I feel very good about this and where I am in the process."
As far as how Robinson fits into the offense, he expects to play both on the outside and in the slot. That shouldn't be too surprising since Johnson and George Pickens both took turns going into the slot, even if it happened only here and there. Having three guys atop the depth chart that have the capability to move back and forth between both spots exemplifies the position-less football the Steelers like to have at receiver.
"Being able to play inside and outside, I think they have a good vision for me," Robinson said. "Some of the times where I've had the most success in my career, I've played anywhere from 30 to 40 percent, up to almost 50 percent. I'm looking forward to that."
Of course, bringing in a player of Robinson's caliber can have a positive effect in the room as well. The Steelers know that, and Robinson expressed an open desire to be a mentor, no matter what team he's playing for. There is a two-pronged advantage to bringing in a player that can truly play when healthy and embraces a leadership role. It paid off when the Steelers addressed defensive line a season ago, and it shores up a position of need heading into this week's draft.
"I feel like for me, being in that role a lot, I feel like being around younger receivers keeps me young," Robinson said. "This will actually be the first time in my career that I'll be the oldest receiver in the room. I'm still 29, and I'm still learning some things myself. But, I'm looking forward to it. It's a great group. Even from watching these guys from afar, there's a lot of talent in that room."
In other receiver news: The Steelers re-signed Miles Boykin to a one-year contract on Monday. Boykin racked up 10 tackles on special teams last season, so that gives him a bit of a leg up for making the bottom of the depth chart.
