After trading Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seattle Seahawks, the Jacksonville Jaguars haven't made any further moves ahead of the November 5 deadline. That could change based on a roster move the team's brass made before the Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Left tackle Cam Robinson left Week 8 with a concussion. He was in protocol in the days preceding the Packers game but was cleared on time to suit up. But despite being good to go, Walker Little got the start while Robinson watched from the sidelines.
This begs the question, if Robinson cleared concussion protocol and had started all games at left tackle this season, why did he not play against Green Bay? One reason could be that the Jaguars are planning to trade him.
One day after the loss, head coach Doug Pederson told the media and said he was unsure whether Little or Robinson would start a left tackle. That would be something the top brass would evaluate moving forward.
It's worth pointing out that Pederso doesn't think players should lose their jobs to injury. Add the fact that Robinson has played well after a rough start to the season, and the Jags don't have a valid explanation, at least from an outside perspective, on why he could take a backseat to Little.
Make no mistake, Little has fared well when called upon. A first-round pick in 2021, the former Stanford Cardinal has appeared in 48 games with 18 starts throughout his career. He competed with Jawaan Taylor for the right tackle job in 2022 but has failed to earn a featured role on the offensive line. By trading Robinson, the Jags would pave the way for him.
Why the Jaguars could trade Cam Robison and start Walker Little
While there are no reports the Jacksonville Jaguars are planning to move Cam Robinson before the deadline, he's been the subject of trade chatter dating back to the end of the 2023 season. When you take into account the demand for reliable left tackles in the NFL, it wouldn't be shocking to see the former Alabama standout change teams by November 5.
After all, clubs like the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants have lost their starting left tackles to injuries. Both of them could use Robinson. The Vikes, in particular, may want to make a push for the Louisiana native to ensure they don't stay on track to qualify for the postseason.
Apart from Minnesota and the G-Men, Justin Melo of The Draft Network believes the Washington Commanders or the Pittsburgh Steelers could make a push for Robinson. The Jaguars would most definitely be thrilled to have as many suitors, as it would drive up his price.
For the sake of the argument, let's say Robinson garners legitimate interest, the Jags could get as much as a third-round selection in exchange for him. Then again, a fourth-round pick could get the job done.
Apart from acquiring future assets, the Jaguars would be incentivized to trade Robinson, as they would unload his contract. He has a base salary of $17 million this season, none of it guaranteed. He's earned some of it, but the team that traded for him would have to pick whatever's left off while Jacksonville would free cap space.
Ultimately, the trade deadline could come and go, and Cam Robinson will still be on the Jacksonville Jaguars. That said, nobody will bat an eye if they do move on from him. The fact that they kept him on the sidelines on Week 8 could be a sign they will.