Que Robinson’s immediate path to the field for Broncos lies on special teams

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Que Robinson probably won’t get a jersey immediately on game days because of his work as an edge rusher — at least not barring injury.

With Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman ahead of him, the four-player rotation is pretty well set. That, of course, is the reason why there’s no room for the fan-service move of bringing back Von Miller.

But that doesn’t mean Robinson might not be up and playing right away. It’s just that his role could be on special teams, which he played extensively and effectively throughout his time at Alabama.

That, at least as much as his ceiling as an edge rusher, is why the Broncos invested a fourth-round pick in him. It’s part of new special-teams coordinator Darren Rizzi putting a stamp on the unit; he’s added wide receiver Trent Sherfield and safety Sam Franklin Jr. as core special-teamer.

ROBINSON AS A “CORE-FOUR”

Robinson projects as a core-four — kickoff coverage, kickoff returns, punt protection and punt returns — contributor, which he was for most of his years at Alabama for most of his years there.

“I’ve been on kickoffs, kick returns, punts, punt returns,” he said. “Also, I’ve been on field-goal block (and) field goal.

“I’ve been on everything.”

He’s also back to 100 percent after suffering an elbow injury last season that limited him to nine games, including five starts — the only five starts of his five seasons — including one redshirt campaign — at Alabama.

As a pass rusher, Robinson is definitely a projection. His work is limited; he didn’t record a sack or a tackle for a loss until 2023. His measurables fit the bill — an 80 5/8-inch wingspan, as measured at Pro Day, that is more like what you’d expect from a tackle.

But on special teams, Robinson could be able to play right now. It’ll require a little bit of game-day roster adjustment — after all, that will mean the Broncos need to have five edge rushers active instead of four, making them one spot short elsewhere.

Butt Robinson’s experience in that phase at a high college level in the SEC and the likeliness that his raw athleticism should translate to the NFL could make such a tweak worth making.

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