The Jacksonville Jaguars set out to have the best pair of backs in the league. It seems they’ve come pretty close.
James Robinson, recovering from an Achilles tear, is expected to be full-go for Week 1 of the NFL season. He’s participated in team drills and has begun making the cuts necessary to evade tackles. Head coach Doug Pederson expects Robinson back soon, though his role is not entirely clear. It is yet to be seen just how big of a role second-year back Travis Etienne Jr. will have.
Having Robinson back doesn’t move the needle for Jacksonville’s win-loss record, but that doesn’t mean enticing betting opportunities don’t exist. Robinson is a powerful back that is likely going to see the majority of early down rushes. His powerful nature lends itself to red zone touches, too. DraftKings has lagged behind on the Robinson hype, giving him +10000 odds to lead the league in rushing touchdowns. That is the same mark as Ryan Tannehill and Chuba Hubbard. The books are telling us such a season is essentially impossible, but his projected usage and strengths within his profile say otherwise.