James Robinson

Week 4 at Cincinnati Bengals
After a troubling Week 1 workload, James Robinson's role the past two weeks has been very encouraging for his RB2 prospects. Robinson received 21 of the Jaguars' 29 RB touches in Week 3, turning 15 carries and six receptions into 134 total yards and a touchdown. It helped Robinson that Jacksonville was actually able to keep the game competitive against Arizona, resulting in more rushing attempts than expected for the second-year back. It is clear at this point that while Robinson might not receive the massive volume he saw in 2020, he is firmly ahead of Carlos Hyde in the pecking order and should receive virtually all of the high-value RB touches in this offense. A Week 4 date with the middling Bengals defense is nothing to be afraid of. Robinson can be started as a solid RB2 or flex this week.

Week 2 vs. Denver Broncos
Week 1 was disappointing for managers who started James Robinson as their RB2 and the peripheral numbers were not promising for his future prospects. Robinson played 46 snaps to Carlos Hyde's 25, but Robinson only saw five carries compared to eight for Hyde. Robinson did get most of the backfield targets (six to two in favor of Robinson), but with the Jacksonville offense looking rough as a whole, such a limited workload will not produce RB2 numbers very often. Now the Jags will host a strong Broncos defense that dismantled the Giants offense in their opener. At this point, Robinson is best thought of as a decent flex option rather than the RB2 we thought he would be heading into Week 1, and one who is a better play when the Jags will likely face a negative game script and be forced to pass.

Fantasy Upside
According to Fantasy Football World Championship average draft position data (via SI.com), James Robinson was the 46th running back drafted (112.1) in 2020. He was drafted after players like Sony Michel, Chris Thompson, Alexander Mattison, Boston Scott, Chase Edmonds, Latavius Murray, Matt Breida and Jordan Howard. He went on to finish seventh in fantasy points among running backs, averaging 17.9 points per game. His 250 points were just nine fewer points than the running back he replaced in Jacksonville, Leonard Fournette, in 2019. Robinson ranked second among rookies with 1,414 scrimmage -- the most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie in the common-draft era -- and became the fourth undrafted rookie with at least 1,000 rushing yards since 1967. He added 10 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, so his rookie year was a rousing success by every standard.

Fantasy Downside
The hard truth is, even if Robinson starts the season No. 1 on the depth chart. Trevor Lawrence is will likely have an eye for Travis Etienne. The former college teammates could form a solid battery in the short-passing game.

2021 Bottom Line
While there are questions beyond the Lawrence-Etienne duo -- like a new coaching staff and scheme, expecting Robinson to play a prominent role, especially with Lawrence trying to work his way up to speed, is plenty reasonable. Also reasonable? Expecting RB2/RB3 production as you plot your draft strategy.