James Robinson has arguably been the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most valuable player in 2021, and if he isn’t, he’s close to it. The former Illinois State Redbird is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded running back since Week 3. His presence allows the Jaguars have a balanced offense.
Against, the Miami Dolphins, Robinson racked up 17 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown. He’s had that amount of yards or more in the Jaguars’ last four games, so he will likely have another good game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8.
The Hawks’ defense ranks 30th in rushing yards allowed. Feeding Robinson the ball early and often would help the Jaguars have a shot at beating Seattle at home. However, he isn’t the only player the Jaguars need to thrive in Week 8. Here are five others that must perform at a high level if the Jaguars want to earn their second victory of the 2021 season.
Jaguars player that must shine vs. Seahawks No. 1 – OG Ben Bartch
Urban Meyer revealed on his radio show that right guard A.J. Cann is out for the year, via John Reid of Florida Times-Union. The 2015 third-round pick suffered a knee injury in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals and was promptly placed on the Injured Reserve list. Sophomore Ben Bartch stepped in his place and it looks like he will keep his spot for the remainder of the season.
Bartch exited the game against the Dolphins with the concussion but Meyer has said the second-year guard will play in Week 8. The 2020 fourth-round pick has played 130 snaps in the last three weeks and has allowed just four pressures and no sacks. Cann is set to hit the open market in 2022 and the Jaguars could let him walk if Bartch plays reasonably well in what’s left of the season.
Jaguars player that must shine vs. Seahawks No. 2 – CB Tyson Campbell
Shaquill Griffin is everything the Jaguars expected when they signed him in free agency. He’s become a key cog in the secondary and quickly established himself as a leader of this young team. However, the team needs another starting cornerback that can line up on the opposite side of the field. Rookie Tyson Campbell could be that player, and he will have a chance to prove himself in Week 8.
The coaching staff is high on Campbell, who could develop into a solid starter but is still a work in progress. The former Georgia Bulldog missed the last two games with a toe injury but should be back in the lineup for Week 8. Keep in mind that he was struggling before he got hurt so it’s not a give his return will give the secondary the boost it needs.
Campbell has shown flashes but has gotten beat several times. He’s allowed a 68.2 percent completion rate on 22 targets. He started the season in the slot and moved outside once the team’s brass traded C.J. Henderson. It’s possible that he will grow accustomed to playing in the boundaries in the upcoming weeks.
Griffin will probably travel with Seahawks D.K. Metcalf so Campbell will often be tasked to cover Tyler Lockett. Having a good performance would help him solidify his spot in the starting lineup. The Jaguars won’t likely give up on him after one bad game but he needs to show he can be relied upon.
Jaguars player that must shine vs. Seahawks No. 3 – WR Laviska Shenault
Second-year wide receiver Laviska Shenault has been solid this season, hauling in 26 receptions or 306 yards. He should have no trouble setting career highs in both catches and yards. However, more was expected from a player who was thought to be a breakout candidate in 2021.
Jamal Agnew, and not Shenault, is solidifying his spot as the team’s number two wide receiver opposite Marvin Jones Jr. Viska hasn’t been able to capitalize on the absence of DJ Chark Jr., who is out for the reminder on the year.
Having said that, Shenault could turn it on at any time. He isn’t lacking talent and has previously shown he can be a difference-maker. The 2020 second-round pick has a penchant for creating yards after the catch due to his physicality but he can also get deep, logging receptions of 50-plus yards in back-to-back games earlier this year.
Shenault has the potential to become a solid target in the Jaguars’ passing game. However, two things need to happen. The coaching staff must put him in a favorable position to make plays and he needs to increase his 66.7 percentage of targets caught. The Jaguars’ offense has a favorable matchup against a Seahawks defense that ranks 27th in both passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed.
Simply, Seattle doesn’t have enough cornerbacks to cover the wide receiver trio of Jones, Agnew, and Shenault. If Viska can make one or two big plays in Week 8, the Jaguars’ chances of earning their second win of the year will increase.
Jaguars player that must shine vs. Seahawks No. 4 – TE Dan Arnold
There’s no doubt Dan Arnold has solidified the Jaguars’ tight end room since being traded ahead of Week 4. The coaching staff needs to get him more involved. He hauled in two receptions against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football, just three days after joining the team. He followed that with six receptions for 64 yards against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5.
In the Jaguars’ win over the Dolphins, Arnold caught two passes for 27 yards. Of course what matters is that Jacksonville earned their first victory of the year, not the number of yards the tight end or any other player racks up. Still, it would be a good idea to get him involved in Week 8.
The Seahawks’ defense struggles to defend the pass and Arnold is the Jaguars’ best tight end target in the passing game. Also, he should be fully acquitted (or close to it) after spending almost a month in Jacksonville.
In the last two games, Arnold has played at least 62 percent of the Jaguars’ offensive snaps and has been targeted 13 times. He needs to get something along those lines in Week 8. It will be interesting to see how he fares in his matchup against linebackers Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks.
Jaguars player that must shine vs. Seahawks No. 5 – Trevor Lawrence
Based on the Jags’ 1-5 record, you could argue the good things have been far and few between. But the truth is that there are plenty of things to like about how Jacksonville’s season has unfolded. In particular, Trevor Lawrence has been everything the team hoped for.
Sure, the Jaguars have lost five games in 2021 but this was supposed to be a developmental year and they were expected to win somewhere around five and six games, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. If they were a playoff team that came crashing down (like the Chiefs), it would be a cause for concern but Jacksonville is focused on setting the foundation for winning in the future. Also, they’re deeply invested in Lawrence’s development as a passer in the NFL. He hasn’t disappointed in that regard.
The former Clemson Tiger has shown significant growth in the last four weeks, and his decision-making has significantly improved since the season opener. Also, he’s cut down his interceptions and has had just one in the last three weeks. Of all the quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, only Mac Jones might be having a better rookie campaign.
Lawrence will have the chance to take another step in the right direction against a Seahawks team that ranks 31st in yards allowed. The game may come to the wire. If so, he may have to be clutch just like he was against the Dolphins.