Former Steelers CB Ike Taylor Thinks Allen Robinson Is Going To Be The Smash Hit Of The 2023 Offseason Acquisitions

There are a ton of Pittsburgh Steelers podcasts out there, but there is only one that is hosted by someone who not only played for the team, but won two Super Bowls with them. Now, he works for the organization as a scout - and that man is Ike Taylor.

Taylor played for the Steelers for 12 years in the early 2000s as a cornerback. Now, in addition to being a scout for the black and gold, he is a podcaster. His show, Bleav In Steelers, is co-hosted by reporter Mark Bergin. On a recent episode, they discussed what they think was the Steelers' best offseason acquisition this year. According to Taylor, it is wide receiver Allen Robinson. 

Robinson is entering his 10th season in the league. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 in the second round. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2015, but fell victim to some unfortunate circumstances while he was with his last team, the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson isn't letting that get to his head, he says he has a lot more football left in him.  

Former Steelers Cornerback Ike Taylor Says Allen Robinson Is The Real Deal

Taylor agrees with Robinson and thinks he is going to be a difference-maker in Pittsburgh. 

"Getting a guy like Allen coming from the LA Rams, you need a veteran guy, especially of that stature. I mean, 6'4" and 230 lbs. He's been around with Penn State and understands what the weather is like. It's a grown-up in that wide receiver room, a no-nonsense guy who can go from inside out. What I mean by that is from the X to the Y to the Z position. A guy who doesn't mind getting dirty in that slot because he's a grown man."

The benefits of having a guy like Robinson extend to the whole offense. Taylor thinks that because he is more mature and has seen multiple different offenses and many, many defenses. 

"I think that would help Kenny [Pickett], I think that will help Diontae [Johnson], I think it will open the offense up for Kenny Pickett as well, along with his new tight ends between Darnell [Washington] and Pat [Freiermuth]. So for me, that offseason move, collecting Allen Robinson was a move for a veteran presence and that wide receiver room and a guy who can get low-down dirty whenever you need him to."     

Another player that Taylor sees as benefiting from the addition of Robinson is George Pickens. Pickens is entering his second year in the league and had a strong rookie season. He showed tremendous ball skills and speed. Unfortunately, the most senior receiver in the room was Diontae Johnson and he was battling his own demons with some drop issues and an inability to get in the end zone. 

"George Pickens, going on his second year, having a guy like Allen Robinson who's been around the league, who's super savvy, it's gonna be big for wide receiver room. Not only [is he] gonna play, but he also could be coached on the field as well."

The icing on the cake of the Robinson deal is his contract. The Rams are paying the bulk of what he will earn. He is coming off a huge contract in LA, $46.5 million for three years. But for 2023, the Steelers have him with a base salary of $1.165 million and a signing bonus of $3.835 million. 

"His contract situation, where like the Steelers aren't paying most of the bill and it's a prove-it season. The Steelers could try to renegotiate after the year."

Bergin points out that he is eager to see what Robinson can do with a consistent quarterback situation. When he was with Jacksonville, they had a lot of turnover. He also points out that quarterback issues impacted him in Los Angles as well, with Matthew Stafford battling an injury. One thing is for sure, the addition of Robinson gives the Steelers a powerfully stacked wide receivers room. Trying to figure out how to get all this talent playing time is a good problem to have. 

Who do you think was the Steelers' best offseason acquisition? Where does Robinson rank for you? Click to comment below.

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