One of the positions under the microscope at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is free safety. The Steelers don't have a true centerfielder on the back end who can thrive in a Cover 1 scheme, though they do have adequate personnel for Cover 2 press-man concepts. One young player getting extended opportunities is rookie Robert Spears-Jennings, as DeShon Elliott continues to ease back into action.
The Steelers selected Spears-Jennings in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft, and he quickly generated intrigue. Coaches and observers praised him throughout OTAs and minicamp. Still, questions about his limitations raise concerns about whether he can fill a key role in Pittsburgh's secondary.
Spears-Jennings brings intrigue and opportunity to Steelers secondary
The biggest strength in Spears-Jennings' game is his straight-line speed. He ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, and that explosiveness shows up on film. He closes ground quickly from point A to point B and arrives with force when delivering hits to ball carriers or receivers. His speed and physicality give him the tools to address some needs in the Steelers' secondary. However, a closer look at his testing helps explain some of the weaknesses that also appear on tape.
Spears-Jennings posted one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the combine, but his shuttle and three-cone drill results reinforced the concerns scouts had entering the draft. He recorded a 4.43-second short shuttle and a 7.14-second three-cone drill, an average mark. While he possesses elite straight-line speed, he doesn't have the same level of change-of-direction ability. That limitation could make it difficult for him to develop into the true centerfielder needed to excel in a Cover 1 scheme.
Can the rookie carve out a role and fill a need?
reuters.com,2025:newsml_MT1USATODAY27654448:828848139
Spears-Jennings is far from a finished product. He can improve some of his weaknesses, but his ceiling could currently project closer to former Steelers safety Mike Mitchell. That's a solid outcome for a seventh-round pick, though it also highlights the limitations in his game. There's a reason players like Minkah Fitzpatrick are so rare. After all, the Steelers deemed him worth a first-round pick in a trade.
In the meantime, Spears-Jennings can make an immediate impact on special teams as a gunner while continuing to develop defensively. His elite 40-yard splits helped him earn an 8.91 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), giving the Steelers another explosive athlete to deploy on punt and kickoff coverage. Could he carve out an early role similar to fellow Oklahoma product Tre Norwood did in 2021? It's possible. However, unless Spears-Jennings makes significant strides during the preseason, he is likely to remain a developmental player for now.
