With cutdown day looming, NFL clubs have begun trimming down their rosters. The Jacksonville Jaguars will join the fun once they play the Miami Dolphins in the preseason finale, but they probably won't wait until then to start making moves.
Not long ago, the Washington Commanders began to shop fourth-year running back Brian Robinson. He was ultimately sent to the San Francisco 49ers, but they were far from his only potential destination. And teams who still want to bolster their backfield should consider giving the Jags a call.
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Jaguars RB Travis Etienne will be on demand if he lands on the trade block
There's no doubt that Brian Robinson was a productive running back, toting the rock 570 times for 2,329 yards with 15 touchdowns the past three years. However, he became expendable due to the ascension of rookie Jacory Crorsky-Merritt, who's made a strong impression dating back to the offseason program.
Still, Robinson could be a pretty good back or even a solid half in a running back tandem. Then again, Travis Etienne is arguably better and could most definitely help teams that considered trading for Robinson.
A first-round pick in 2021, Etienne missed his rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury. He was back at full strength in 2022 and proceeded to tally a combined 2,925 yards from scrimmage the next two years. However, the former Clemson Tiger suffered a shoulder injury that hindered him last year and limited him to a career-low 558 rushing yards. During his absence, Tank Bigsby proved to be a capable replacement.
Couple Bigsby's ascension with the fact that Etienne's contract runs through 2025, and it wasn't shocking to see him become the subject of trade speculation after the regular season ended. Then, the draft came, and the noise increased when the Jags selected Bhayshul Tuten and LaQuint Allen.
But despite the arrival of Tuten and Allen, Liam Coen put an end to the Etienne chatter, pointing out that it was nonsense. Nevertheless, things are always fluid, and plans often change.
In Etienne's case, he's 100 percent and even got praise from Coen himself. However, he may be an unnecessary luxury in Jacksonville with Bigsby, Tuten, and Allen in the fold.
Based on his workload in training camp, Bigsby appears to be at the top of the depth chart. Tuten has shown big-play capability and has seemingly fixed the fumble issues that plagued him at Virginia Tech. Allen, for his part, looks like a vested veteran and could carve a niche as a third-down specialist due to his blocking chops and ability to catch the football out of the backfield.
Granted, Etienne would provide enviable depth at running back, but it doesn't make sense to keep him around if the team's brass don't expect him to get much playing time in 2025. Heck, maybe that's why the Louisiana native has gotten the starting nod each of the first two preseason games.
Ultimately, there's a chance Travis Etienne will stay with the Jaguars next season. Heck, they may be planning to keep him around, but nobody will bat an eye if a team swoops in and makes an offer Jacksonville cannot refuse.