Patriots Buzz: James Robinson has a chance to be great in New England
After a quiet start to free agency, the New England Patriots have their fandom buzzing with a string of moves that should mark some improvement on the offensive side of the ball. One of those moves was the signing of running back James Robinson to a two-year deal worth $8 million.
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the free agency move likely means the end of Damien Harris in New England although you can’t really count out a return. The 24-year-old Robinson is a versatile back who will compliment Rhamondre Stevenson nicely.
Although he is coming off a season in which he ran for just 425 yards and five TDs, Robinson’s 2020 rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars is the version of Robinson the Patriots are hoping to get. In that season, the undrafted rookie out of Illinois State rushed 1,070 yards in 14 games played.
Impressively, Robinson also caught 49 passes for 344 yards. Playing behind Stevenson, that version of Robinson would be an upgrade over Harris who had trouble staying on the field in 2022.
Patriots free agency: James Robinson is the type of back who thrives in New England
At 5-foot-9, 219 pounds, the 24-year-old running back should remind Patriots fans as a stronger version of Dion Lewis during his time in New England. With a bigger build and burst between the tackles, the addition of Robinson makes the running back depth room much more interesting.
Assuming Damien Harris is out, the New England Patriots will have Stevenson, Robinson and second year running backs Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. competing for reps in 2023. The Patriots also have J.J. Taylor who will be competing for a roster spot, so this is a position that appears set as of now. The team could potentially add more competition in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As an underrated move this offseason, this is an interesting move for the Patriots because of the potential the combination of Stevenson and Robinson could be in the backfield. Both are backs who can run with power and catch the ball out of the backfield. Patriots’ fans saw a lot of that with Stevenson in 2022 and expect Robinson to be used in a similar fashion.
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This addition also brings to question what the team has planned for Kevin Harris and Strong Jr. Both running backs showed some promise towards the end of their rookie seasons and both will be counted on to make leaps in 2023, but in what roles? Could the team utilize Harris in a fullback type role?
With his bigger build, that could be an option, especially around the goal line and in short yardage situations. As for Strong Jr., his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could fit him in that third-down back role.
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As proven every NFL season, a team can never have enough running backs but in signing James Robinson, the New England Patriots are getting a player with the skillset to be great in New England, especially playing aside or backing up Stevenson.
Good move Patriots with the potential of being one of those great moves we talk about for years to come.