James Robinson 2023 Outlook
Robinson has played for five head coaches in three NFL seasons: Doug Marrone, Urban Meyer, Darrell Bevell (interim), Doug Pederson and Robert Saleh. They say the sixth time’s the charm. Bill Belichick, together with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, have an interesting reclamation project on their hands. Robinson’s production has decreased each year since his surprising 1,000-yard rushing season as an undrafted rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars. We feel much of this can be chalked up to his personal coaching carousel; Meyer had it out for him, and Robinson made it known he wasn’t happy being benched by the New York Jets after they traded for him. But in New England, Belichick could deploy Robinson in the passing game in the same way James White, the PPR owner’s dream running back, was once used there. Robinson not only ran for 1,000 yards in 2020, he caught 49 passes. The skill and willingness are there. “I feel like I do it quite naturally,” Robinson told the team website. “When I get the opportunity for that, I feel like I make the most of it.'
James Robinson 2022 Outlook
Head coach Doug Pederson addressed the Jaguars' running-back situation just after April's NFL Draft, with the team selecting Snoop Conner of Mississippi in the fifth round. Conner joins a group that also includes Robinson and second-year man Travis Etienne -- with Robinson coming off an Achilles injury suffered last December and Etienne missing the 2021 season with a Lisfranc injury. "This gives up depth at that position, gives us a little competition there and we're excited to get him here and get him going," Pederson said of Conner. As for Robinson, recent reports indicate the Jags don't expect him to be ready for the start of training camp, but the hope remains that he'll be on the field Week 1. Last year saw Rams running back Cam Akers return from an Achilles tear after just 5 1/2 months -- an injury that normally takes nine months to a year to come back from. Robinson noted he's making progress but won't push to return too soon. "When I'm ready, I'll be ready," Robinson said in June. That said, if we get indications that Robinson is ready to go as camp draws near, he's going to have a significant role in a timeshare with Etienne. Even if you think he's going to miss time early on, Robinson could be worth a stash.
James Robinson 2021 Outlook
According to Fantasy Football World Championship average draft position data (via SI.com), Robinson was the 46th running back drafted in 2020. He was drafted after players like Sony Michel, Chris Thompson, Alexander Mattison, Boston Scott, Chase Edmonds, Latavius Murray, Matt Breida and Jordan Howard. He went on to finish seventh in fantasy points among running backs, averaging 17.9 points per game. His 250 points were just nine fewer points than the running back he replaced in Jacksonville, Leonard Fournette, scored in 2019. Robinson ranked second among rookie RBs with 1,414 yards from scrimmage -- most by an undrafted rookie in the common-draft era -- and became the fourth undrafted rookie with at least 1,000 rushing yards since 1967. He added 10 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, so his rookie year was a rousing success by every standard. And while there are questions this season with a new coaching staff and the addition of Travis Etienne, expecting Robinson to still play a prominent role -- especially with newcomer Trevor Lawrence working his way up to speed -- seems reasonable.
