As dreadful as the Jacksonville Jaguars were under Urban Meyer in 2021, they weren't much better the year prior, going 1-16. The silver lining is that the Jags clinched the first overall pick in the draft. Moreover, there were a few bright spots, even if they were few and far between. Running back James Robinson was one of them.
An undrafted free agent in 2020, Robinson quickly burst into the NFL scene, totaling over 1,400 yards from scrimmage that year, the most by an undrafted rookie in league history. Following his impressive first season, he seemed to be poised to be a mainstay of the Jacksonville offense long-term. However, injuries derailed his stint with the Jags, and the former Illinois State Redbird was gone by 2022.
Since then, Robinson has had trouble latching onto a team. But after one year with the Louisville Kings of the UFL, the Las Vegas Raiders may give him a chance to resume his NFL career.
Former Jaguars RB James Robinson tried out for the Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders waived running back Chris Collier and replaced him with tight end Zach Kuntz. That left him with just four options at running back: Asthon Jeanty, rookie Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, and Roman Hemby. That led Las Vegas to bring in three running backs for a workout: James Robinson, Dare Ogunbowale, and Kenny McIntosh. Of the three, Robinson's name stands out the most.
Robinson, at least for a season, was the real deal. The issue is that he suffered an Achilles tear in 2021 that brought his NFL career to a screeching halt. After finishing the 2022 season with the New York Jets, the New England Patriots signed him but quickly found out that he was missing his burst. Since then, he's tried out for the Indianapolis Colts, the New York Giants, and even spent a bit of time with the Green Bay Packers.
However, Robinson last played in 2023 and is no longer the player he was for Jacksonville in 2021. That said, it's encouraging to see him get yet another look from the Raiders, even if it doesn't result in a job offer.
On a related note, Ogunbowale also suited up for the Jags for two seasons before bolting for the Houston Texans in 2022.
James Robinson was a playmaker for the Jaguars in 2020
Say what you want about James Robinson, but he looked like an ascending star in 2020. That he suffered the Achilles injury is unfortunate, as it leaves us asking, what could have been?
Had Robinson stayed healthy, he would have formed a dynamic tandem with Travis Etienne for at least a couple seasons. Heck, he managed to hold the fort when Etienne suffered an injury of his own in 2021 until he got hurt.
You have to give James Robinson credit for being so resilient. He's surely aware that the odds of sticking around in the NFL are against him, but he still refuses to throw in the towel.
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