People made a big deal when they released their long-time starter in the summer
ESPN Headline – “James Robinson making Jaguars forget Leonard Fournette.”
Robinson is an undrafted free agent running back out of Illinois State. Fournette was the team’s 2017 first-round pick, fourth overall.
The Jaguars released Fournette on August 31, and he signed with Tampa Bay (he had a solid game on Sunday).
Robinson, who makes $610,000 this year, has done a nice job for the Jaguars in their first two games as the starting tailback, rushing for 164 yards.
“What you guys are seeing now is probably what I’ve been seeing all of camp,” Jags coach Doug Marrone said, according to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. “Just a real steady, good football player. If there’s something there, he’s going to find it. He’s not going to make mistakes and lose yardage for you, and [he’s going to] try to keep the chains going. He’s a tough runner. He’s got a little burst getting through the second level. I was happy to see him take that one to the end zone.”
The lesson here is simple: While Fournette is a good player, you don’t need to pick running backs high in the first round, or pay them big money in free agency, to have success at that position.
You can find players in the later rounds, or as undrafted free agents, or street free agents (like Raheem Mostert), and do just fine.
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