Last year was a season from hell with all the injuries, specifically to RBS. From CMC, Saquon, Ekeler for beginners and we know that list goes on. This season we have seen several young stars on the rise suchas Akers, Etienne and now the latest JK Dobbins. While this news is very sad for the league we must move past the mourning process and mopve to the next man up process.
Gus Edwards
Before Dobbins season ending injury, I spoke several times how Edwards ADP was extreme value. He was ranked RB43 for an offense that strictly enforces and breathes running the ball. In his first 3 seasons he rushed for over 700 yards despite being a backup RB and despite playing with possibly the best rushing QB in NFL season. With Dobbins no longer in the picture for 2021, where does this leave Edwards value?
While several don’t want to ride the bus, I am all aboard. Previously I had Dobbins as RB15 and Edwards is clearly in the picture for several more carries. Volume triumphs everything and when you have an efficient runner who is seeing volume what is there not too like? Averaging over 5 YPC in his career, he also was a stud last season. From week 6 on Gus was RB26, as a backup! Lets make this clear, Edwards is not going to blow you out of the water. He is not going to be a league winner or even become your RB1. What he is going to be is a weekly starter who will finish the season as a mid-low end RB2. Not only will he become the LEAD carrier of an offense that has rushed for over 3000 yards on back-back seasons but he will also take over as the goal-line back. I currently have Edwards as my RB22 which is beyond fair.
James Robinson
Travis Etienne was a mistake draft pick from the beginning of the Urban Meyer era but I bought into the hype shortly after realizing something. Although RB was the last position the Jags needed to upgrade especially in the first round, Etienne is a play-maker and was going to be utilized as one. We will have to wait a year to see if Etienne comes back healthy and ready to dominate, but for now we are stuck with the ultimate underdog.
Robinson finished last season as RB7 and legit was a league winner. Before the 2020 season, Fournette was kicked to the curb and not a single person could tell you who any of the Jaguars backups were. Robinson stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the damn park. There seems to be a lot of hesitancy with Robinson, even after Etienne went down. My only hesitancy comes from the terrible coach for Jax. Despite Urban Meyers potential ineptitude as an NFL head coach, I think he would have to have the IQ to lean heavily on his RB during a rookie QB season.
While I am higher on Robinson then others, I am pumping the brakes on a second RB1 season. I have Robinson pinned as my RB15, which is saying a lot compared to where he was last week. The Jaguars brought in veteran Carlos Hyde who I feel may fill a short yardage/goal line role. This will cut potentially cut into Robinsons value. Lets not forget Robinson dominated in the pass game catching 81% of his 60 targets in 14 games. I am all-in on Robinson finishing as a RB2.
Michael Pittman
Hilton suffered a non-disclosed injury and will miss at least a few weeks to start the season. The injury prone Hilton is a player that some felt could revitalize his career with Wentz behind center. Whoever thought this should stick to their day jobs. The only positive I seen from this is Hilton off the field and higher snap-counts/targets for the young guns.
I think Pittman is ready so step it up this season and become the Colts #1 reliable wide-out. He flashed his potential after returning from a 3 week injury hiatus and gave us some solid weeks. Wentz if healthy presents stronger arm strength then Rivers did last season as an almost 40 year old. There may be some value later on in drafts with Pittman that several people are failing to realize.