Nearly a year ago, the Steelers dealt outside linebacker Adrian Robinson to Philadelphia for running back Felix Jones. The move didn't exactly send shockwaves through the universe, but it was a particularly newsworthy item; Robinson, a Redman Award winner in 2012, and a high-impact training camp player symbolized the team's return to gem-mining and cultivation through undrafted free agency.
It didn't quite turn out that way, and it certainly isn't easy to spot potential Pro Bowl-caliber players who weren't drafted. Still, Robinson's 2013 training camp was nowhere near his 2012 camp, and the fact he was cut in Philadelphia and has bounced around to a few different teams now suggests the Steelers made a reasonable move. Jones provided them with special teams contributions while serving as a rotational running back - for better or worse.
The Steelers will have roughly $5 million in cap space after Brett Keisel's Minimum Salary Benefit contract hits the books, and judging by the general lack of running back depth, the team may look to make a similar deal among their roster. In fact, Philadelphia just traded a 2015 seventh-round pick to Carolina for running back Kenjon Barner.
Adding a veteran running back who appears to be on his way out on another team in exchange for a player who wouldn't make the Steelers' roster anyway seems like a win-win for both sides involved (Robinson didn't make the Eagles, but they were going to release Jones anyway).
Incidentally, Jones himself is still a free agent, as is LaRod Stephens-Howling, a player the Steelers brought in via free agency in 2013, only to see him suffer a torn ACL (one of many Steelers players whose season ended in Week 1). Veterans Michael Bush, Bernard Scott, Ronnie Brown and Willis MaGahee are all still available (understandably so), but perhaps they're looking for a runner whose been in camp already.
If no move is made, it would seem likely at least a few running backs would be pared down when the rosters are reduced from 90 to 75 - likely coming after the team's preseason clash with the Eagles Thursday. The fourth game typically sees a player with little to no chance of making the team get the majority of the carries through all four quarters.
Perhaps a veteran gets some game conditioning in the 12th annual Steelers vs. Panthers Bowl next week.