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Grading Jaguars’ position groups on offense ahead of 2022 offseason

By Carlos Sanchez

TIAA Bank Field during Training Camp - Jacksonville Jaguars (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TIAA Bank Field during Training Camp - Jacksonville Jaguars (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Jacksonville Jaguars
RB James Robinson (25) of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

Grading Jaguars’ position groups on offense – Running backs.

Running back was supposed to be a strength for the Jaguars in 2021. This group looked particularly good on paper with James Robinson and Travis Etienne forming a young, exciting duo. Also, the front office signed Carlos Hyde in free agency for good measure but then, injuries struck.

Drafting a running back in the first round isn’t a sound strategy when you take into account that you can get a good one in later rounds. But the Jags liked Etienne enough that they picked him 25th overall in last year’s selection meeting. The former Clemson Tiger showed his playmaking skills in training camp but suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason that left him out for the year. The Jags had to scratch whatever plans they had for him and Robinson was once again the lead back.

Robinson was coming off a season in which he totaled 1,414 yards from scrimmage. He picked up where he left off, ranking among the best running back in the league in both advanced and traditional statistics. Alas, he suffered a knee injury in Week 8, which forced him to miss a game and play at less than 100 percent for a while. Later in the season, he tore his Achilles and missed the last two games.

Hyde proved he’s not able to carry a big workload load at this point of his career, averaging 3.5 yards per carry on 72 attempts. He also struggled in pass blocking situations and as a pass-catcher. He suffered a concussion late in the season and Dare Ogunbowale became the team’s starting running back in Weeks 17 and 18.

Robinson will spend the offseason rehabilitating while it’s uncertain what kind of shape Etienne will be in training camp. Hyde is still on the roster but Ogunbowale is set to become a free agent. The Jaguars may be better off bringing in some kind of insurance, via free agency or the draft, in case Robinson or Etienne isn’t fully healthy by the start of the 2022 season. This group would get a better grade if they were healthy but there not and that brings down their mark.

Grade ahead of the 2022 offseason: C

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