James Robinson was one of the best stories in the NFL last year. He was an undrafted rookie and ended up as the Jaguars’ starting running back by the time Week 1 rolled around. Robinson played 15 games and recorded 1,414 scrimmage yards, setting a record for an undrafted rookie.
Jacksonville only won one game in 2020, but Robinson was the highlight of the year. The Jaguars weren’t sold on Robinson, though. They drafted Trevor Lawrence’s college teammate, Travis Etienne, to come and occupy space in the backfield. Jacksonville also signed Carlos Hyde at the beginning of free agency, making the running backs room a crowded one.
Hyde’s signing doesn’t move the needle that much. The real battle will be between Robinson and Etienne. Robinson is first on the depth chart, with Etienne as the No. 3 back.
WynnBET is giving both Etienne and Robinson the same odds (+20000) to lead the league in rushing yards. Etienne has been gaining steam as becoming a real factor in the Jacksonville offense, becoming Lawrence’s safety blanket. Despite Etienne’s efforts, the picture in Jacksonville is still blurry.
Etienne and Robinson are the same type of back. Both are dual-threat backs that can make just as many plays through the air as they can on the ground.
Etienne saw limited action in the first preseason game, but the odds are still saying he is firmly in the battle with Robinson.
As for Robinson, he was recently named the 100th-best player in the NFL by his fellow athletes and is still expected to have an impact in the offense. He would be my pick to lead the team in rushing. Etienne could serve as the third-down back, playing more of a pass-catching role, and make his mark there.
We’ll get more answers as the regular season approaches, but the battle for carries is on in Jacksonville.
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